04/06/07 Wildfire property access bill update

Washington Ag April 6, 2007 A one word change in legislation that would create a system to allow landowners access to their property during wildfires has created concerns among law enforcement officials. This is Senator Mark Shoesler's Senate Bill 5315 which was amended in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. Jack Field, Executive Vice President of the Washington Cattlemen's Association says the amendment changed from "may" to "shall" require that sheriff offices in each county maintain a registry of landowners that would have access to their property in the event of a wildfire. Field: "That one word has just created a total turmoil. Some folks are interpreting that that the sheriff has to go out and physically knock on the door of every landowner and ask them if they want on or off of the access list. And what we are trying to say is absolutely not. It is my responsibility as a landowner if I want to be on the list and participate then I need to make the effort, come forward and provide my information to be part of the process." Field says sheriffs in western Washington are particularly concerned about the word change but he is optimistic that with more work there will be agreement and the bill will get through. I'm Bob Hoff.