Digital Gazetteer Information Exchange Workshop
Washington, D.C.
October 12-14, 1999

Geographic Naming in the State of Washington

Tim Gregg, Executive Secretary
Washington State Board on Geographic Names
Department of Natural Resources

Background

Participation by Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

• Executive Secretary of Washington State Board on Geographic Names(WSBGN)
• Manager of Resource Mapping Section in the Washington State DNR
• 1999 Chair of Council of Geographic Names Authorities (COGNA)

Washington State Board on Geographic Names

History of WSBGN

• Formed in 1973 by Washington statute
• Sunsetted in 1982 when sunset laws became popular. Continued meeting as an advisory committee.
• Reestablished in 1983 by Washington statute.

Composition of WSBGN

• Three state agency members
• Commissioner of Public Lands (Chair), a statewide elected official who also oversees DNR. Leadership by a statewide elected official shows the importance of geographic naming in the state of Washington.
• Washington State Library representative.
• Eastern Washington Heritage Council representative.
• Four public members (indicative of the importance to the public and the need for direct public participation in the decision making process concerning geographic names).

Legislative Intent for Creating a Geographic Naming Authority in the State of Washington   

• Establish a procedure for the retention and formal recognition of existing names.
• Standardize geographic naming procedures.
• Coordinate geographic naming between local, state and Federal agencies.
• Serve the public interest by identify the agency responsible for this work.
• Avoid duplication.
• Retain the significance, spelling and color of names associated with the early history of the state of Washington (recognizing and preserving the native american and pioneer history of the state of Washington).

Highlights of Washington State Law and WSBGN Policy

• The WSBGN is the statutory authority concerning the disposition of geographic names in the state of Washington. This includes decisions, maintenance of official records and working with other organizations.
• The WSBGN is required to coordinate with the U.S. Board (the U.S. Board has important records that predate the Washington State naming authority (and most state naming authorities)), plus the U.S. Board maintains automated records and systems that are key to the operation of the Washington State Board).
• The WSBGN uses a two step process (naming decisions are made by the board only after a proposal is received at a previous meeting) to ensure public input is received.
• Names accepted by the WSBGN are the official names for geographic features in the state of Washington.
• Official names are registered with the Washington Code Revisor, published in the Washington State Register and appear on state maps and publications.
• A person shall not, in any advertisement or publication, attempt to change local usage or name unnamed geographic features without first obtaining approval of the Board.

Issues Concerning Development & Maintenance of Geographic Names Databases

• Data bases (and resulting maps and or publications created from databases) should reflect official names.
• Official names can come from several sources; administratively (by law or rule, eg. names of parks, game reserves, schools, etc.) or through action by the WSBGN. Data base content and updates should accommodate official names and sources.
• The process of establishing and updating name databases should not result in the use of unofficial geographic names, replacement of official names by unofficial names, change local usage or name unnamed geographic features.
• Important descriptive information (coordinates, historical background information, source information) is a key component of the geographic naming process and official geographic name data bases.  The design and development of geographic name data bases should facilitate the incorporation and accessibility of descriptive information that is the basis for naming decisions.
• Organizations developing names databases need to recognize that there could be liability issues associated with the use or cartographic rendition of data, especially unofficial names data. 

Summary

• Naming statutes, policy and procedure are important to the citizens of Washington by helping preserve the native american and pioneer history of the state through names, eliminating derogatory and defamatory names that are offensive, having one name for one feature to facilitate emergency operations, and commemorating the work and life of important individuals in the state through the use of official geographic names.
• There are state statutes that govern the use of geographic names in the state of Washington.  Names data bases and systems should enhance the work of naming authorities and the purpose behind this work.
• There may be opportunities between official naming authorities, such as the WSBGN and organizations with interest or resources to mutually develop improved geographic names data bases to better serve the intent of geographic naming legislation.