Tidelands in Washington

5 categories of submerged lands in Washington. Tidelands and Shorelands are two and both are shallow areas of navigable waters. Title to tidelands and shorelands vested in the State of Washington upon Statehood. Bedlands are a submerged land beyond the outer limits of tidelands and shorelands. Harbor Areas and Oyster Lands are categories of bedlands of interest because they may be leased from the state. Fourth, is beds of non-navigable bodies of water and are not owned by the state. Final and fifth category is submerged land created by the state through the preparation of a plat and includes Waterways, wharfs, and public places.

Washington became a state on November 11, 1889. Patents to a government lot bordering navigable lake or Puget Sound earned before statehood extend to either the water line or to the meander line, whichever is further from upland boundary. After statehood, patents abutting navigable waters run to ordinary high tide or ordinary high water.

Waterways are designated by the state, as necessary for present and future convenience of commerce and navigation, and use can be licensed through a permit. Waterways may be vacated, but title vests in the port district or the state. If within a navigable water of the US, vacation must be approved by US Army Corps of Engineers. Waterways and former waterways should be not be insured by WFG without home office underwriting approval and is unlikely to be insurable.