HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  HB 2998

Title:  An act relating to salmonid screening moneys.

Brief Description:  Providing salmonid screening for the Methow river valley.

Sponsors:  Representatives Parlette, G. Chandler, B. Chandler and Mulliken.

                    Brief Summary of Bill

$  Prioritizes funding provided to the Salmon Recovery Funding Board and the                 Department of Fish & Wildlife for salmonid screening in the Methow River Valley.

Background:  The Salmon Recovery Funding Board was created during the 1999 legislative session and is responsible for making grants and loans for salmon habitat projects and salmon recovery activities.  A total of $119,928 in state funding and federal appropriation authority was provided to the board for salmon recovery in the 1999-2001 biennium.

The Department of Fish & Wildlife received $272,931,000 in the 1999-01 Operating Budget for agency operations, including a $2.8 million proviso for fish passage barrier and screening technical assistance, engineering services, and construction assistance.

Several species of salmon have been listed as endangered and threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act, impacting large areas of Washington.  The Methow River Basin presently has spring-run Chinook and Steelhead listed as endangered, and Bull Trout listed as threatened.

Summary:  Methow River Valley salmonid screening projects are given highest priority for funding of moneys allocated by the Salmon Recovery Funding Board and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.  Salmonid screening projects elsewhere in the state may receive funding if moneys available are in excess of the amounts needed for Methow River salmonid screening.  Screens must be sized to accommodate the maximum water diverted during 1994 through 1998.

Appropriation:  None.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Fiscal Note:  None requested.