Warnick bill promoting WDFW, nonprofit cooperation advances

OLYMPIA — Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, received unanimous approval from the Senate to enable the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to establish cooperative agreements with nonprofits and volunteer programs contributing to the maintenance of lands managed by the department.  

“This will provide these organizations with a better opportunity to plan and permit volunteer activities,” said Warnick. 

Substitute Senate Bill 5785, according to the bill’s verbiage, was brought to Warnick by the Department of Fish and Wildlife, responding to a request to align procedures with other departments assisting nonprofit organizations in contributing to managed lands.

Warnick expressed enthusiasm for the bill during a hearing and said she had experience with maintaining managed lands, having been part of the Back Country Horsemen, a nonprofit organization dedicated to maintaining backcountry areas for horseback riding. 

The bill allows WDFW to enter contracts and agreements with nonprofits. These agreements may encompass master agreements with nonprofits and volunteer organizations, limited to a five-year duration with a work value of less than $25,000 per year. These agreements are exempt from work requirements. 

The legislation specifies that volunteer organizations involved in these activities are not considered employees or agents of WDFW, and their liability is constrained, akin to the protections outlined in the Recreational Use Immunity statute. 

The legislation recognizes nonprofit organizations falling under section 501(c)(3) of the Federal Internal Revenue Code or those organized for public benefit and primarily operated for charitable, civic, educational, religious, welfare, or health purposes. 

The primary goal for Warnick is to streamline collaboration between WDFW and nonprofit volunteer groups, enhancing efficiency in planning and implementing activities that contribute to the well-being of the land, she said.

Nicky Pasi, Kittitas Programs senior manager of Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, collaborates with organizations to improve recreation access and engage communities in the stewardship of their lands and waters. 

"This would significantly expedite the process of setting up events, determining permitting procedures, outlining work parameters, thereby saving the agency’s top staff and our volunteer coordinators considerable time and money,” Pasi said. 

WDFW presently oversees over 1 million acres, encompassing 33 wildlife areas and more than 450 water access areas. According to Tom McBride, Legislative Affairs Director for the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the legislature has historically allocated millions of dollars for maintenance and operation of the department’s water access areas. 

McBride said he views SSB 5786 as an avenue to augment these resources. “This for us is a multiplier for those funds, we want to use those funds as effectively as possible,” said McBride. 

The bill, having received bipartisan support, moves to the House of Representatives for a committee hearing. As of press time that hearing has not been scheduled.