SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5637

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines, February 19, 2001

Title:  An act relating to watershed health monitoring and assessments.

Brief Description:  Creating a program of watershed health monitoring and assessments.

Sponsors:  Senators Jacobsen, Regala, Costa and Oke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines:  2/15/01, 2/19/01 [DPS‑WM].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & SHORELINES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5637 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; Constantine, Morton, Oke, Snyder and Stevens.

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786‑7413)

Background:  The state of Washington has begun a long-term process for restoration of watersheds and the naturally occurring species that inhabit them.  A diverse range of watershed  restoration projects are currently underway, but no consistent evaluation or monitoring approach has been developed.

The independent science panel, formed through the salmon restoration framework legislation, has provided recommendations for monitoring of salmon restoration and watershed health.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  A monitoring oversight committee is established to review the progress of watershed-related monitoring, make recommendations, and provide an action plan.  Specific monitoring objectives are established:  clear goals, valid statistical designs, meaningful performance measures, standardized protocols, data quality control, sharing of data, stable funding, and integration of monitoring into decision-making processes.

Other entities involved in salmon recovery and watershed restoration must consider monitoring objectives specified in the legislation.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The Department of Natural Resources, the Independent Science Panel, the Salmon Recovery Funding Board and treaty Indian tribes are each to have a representative on the monitoring oversight committee.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 6, 2001.

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

Testimony For:  A comprehensive and scientifically supportable watershed monitoring system is necessary.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Curt Smitch, Governor's office (pro); Pat McElroy, DNR (pro); Paul Parker, WSAC (pro); Steve Robinson, NW Indian Fisheries Commission (pro w/concerns); Bill Robinson, Trout Unlimited (pro w/concerns).