SENATE BILL REPORT

SJM 8013

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Pearson, Chair; Dansel, Vice Chair; Hatfield, Ranking Minority Member; Chase, Hewitt, McAuliffe and Warnick.

Background: The Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (WRRDA). Enacted in June 2014, the WWRDA, among other things, authorized 34 new Army Corps projects, established a new loan financing program, strengthened levee and dam safety programs, and codified new reforms to the project review process. The WRRDA also authorized $20 million for new watercraft inspection stations in areas determined to have the highest likelihood of preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) at reservoirs in the Columbia River Basin.

AIS Enforcement.A person in possession of an aquatic conveyance who enters Washington by road, air, or water is required to have a certificate of inspection, and if requested, must show the certificate of inspection to a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) officer. A person in possession of an aquatic conveyance must meet clean and drain requirements after the conveyance's use in or on a water body or property. WDFW may require aquatic conveyances to stop at a check station. Check stations must be plainly marked and operated by at least one WDFW officer.

Summary of Bill: The joint memorial requests that the President of the United States, Secretary of the Department of the Interior Sally Jewell, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the state of Washington expend the appropriated funds to significantly enhance monitoring and prevention efforts and to implement the intent of the WRRDA.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This joint memorial requests the federal government to expend funds so that we can prevent the mussels and other invasive species from entering Washington. The economic and ecological consequences of the invasive species can be very high. Washington is the only state without the mussels. In other parts of the country, these mussels have collapsed fisheries and cost millions.