S-562                 _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 5324

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State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Senators Rasmussen, Owen, Metcalf and Garrett

Read first time 1/23/87 and referred to Committee on  Natural Resources.

AN ACT Relating to Lake Washington salmon; and adding new sections to chapter 75.08 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 75.08 RCW to read as follows:

          The unique nature of the Lake Washington drainage basin, as the only major sockeye salmon production area in the mainland United States, as well as a major production area of coho and chinook salmon, makes the area of special importance to the legislature.  The salmon productivity of the area is an important resource to the state, since it contributes substantially to the commercial and recreational fisheries in an area heavily developed for urban use.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 75.08 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) The department of fisheries is directed to further restore, improve, and enhance the salmon resources of the Lake Washington area.  The department shall investigate the limiting factors of salmon production, such as predation, plankton productivity, spawning success and other factors, with the goal being to improve salmon runs.

          (2) The department shall develop an action plan to improve the salmon productivity of the watershed and to assure healthy future salmon runs for the utilization by all fishing groups.