The Public Trust Doctrine and Coastal Zone Management in Washington State

Authors

Ralph W. Johnson, University of Washington School of Law
Craighton Goeppele
David Jansen
Rachael Paschal

Abstract

The public trust doctrine is an ancient doctrine that has recently emerged as a powerful tool to protect the public interest in tidelands and shorelands. Created and developed by the judiciary, the doctrine's principles have found their way into several of Washington's regulatory statutes, such as the Shoreline Management Act and the Aquatic Lands Act. This Article traces the development of the doctrine in Washington, and explains the relation between the state's police power and the public trust doctrine. This Article also sets forth the current contours of the public trust doctrine in Washington, and charts potential future developments of this dynamic common law doctrine.

First Page

521

Recommended Citation

Ralph W. Johnson, Craighton Goeppele, David Jansen & Rachael Paschal, The Public Trust Doctrine and Coastal Zone Management in Washington State, 67 Wash. L. Rev. 521 (1992).
Available at: https://digitalcommons.law.uw.edu/wlr/vol67/iss3/2