The time has come and the opportunity has arrived. The current commissioner of public lands is stepping aside and new leadership is only months away. The NMTA Government Affairs Committee spent significant time interviewing the candidates for commissioner ot public lands. After careful consideration, the NMTA endorses Doug Sutherland, Pierce County Executive, for commissioner of public lands, a position that directly affects the boating industry more than any other statewide elected office.

"From Shoreline management to permitting, we all benefit from a lands commissioner who understands balance," says Tonia Sorrell-Neal, NMTA's director of govemment affairs.

NMTA's number one legislative item for the 2001 legislative session is changing the formula for aquatic land leases. The Department of Natural Resources, he aded by the commissioner of public lands, issues and regulates aquatic land leases. Under the current commissioner, marinas have had a series of disagreemen ts over lease terms, rent, and liveaboards. We have been fighting for years with the DNR for a lease formula that is fair, with little success. Without a new formula, lease rents will continue to climb and so will the cost of boating.

The commissioner manages almost two million acres of state-owned aquatic lands, tidelands, harbors and the beds of navigable waterways. Sutherland promises to b ring his record ol achievement and balance to the Department of Natural Resources. 'I have watched partisan politics and litigation replace cooperative solutions and responsible management of our forests, agriculture lands and our waterways," says Sutherland. "It is time to bring common sense and effective resource management back to the office of public lands."

Doug Sutherland has both public and private work experience. He has served as Pierce County Executive since January, 1993. He is finishing his eighth and final term due to Pierce County's two-term limit. He also served as SeaTac's first city manager and as two-term mayor and council member in Tacoma. Prior to his govemment work, Doug was owner/chief executive officer of Tacoma Tent and Awning Company for 20 years and worked at The Boeing Company for 11 years.

"We believe Doug Sutherland's experience will make the Department of Natural Resources a friendlier partner to work with on marine issues," says Doug Burbridge, chair ol the NMTA Govemment Affairs Committee.

- courtesy of WaterLife,
Newsletter of NMTA