S-4173               _______________________________________________

                                         SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 6189

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1988 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Pullen, Metcalf, Garrett and Rasmussen)

Read first time 1/21/88.

AN ACT Relating to the construction of the Cedar river spawning channel; adding new sections to chapter 75.52 RCW; creating a new section; and making appropriations.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature recognizes that the Cedar river is a major spawning and rearing area for wild run sockeye salmon.  Over the past several years this unique run of sockeye has declined to the extent that no recreational or commercial fishing seasons have been allowed.  One of the factors which historically has been linked to sockeye run variability on the Cedar river is seasonal flooding.  Another factor potentially at issue is predation by other fish species on the young smolts as they reside in Lake Washington before their migration into the marine waters.  It is necessary that a physical solution to the problem be implemented and that a study be undertaken to identify other potential conflicts that impact this valuable resource.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     Because of the commercial, recreational, and educational value of perpetuating the valuable Cedar river sockeye resource, the legislature directs the department of fisheries to design and construct, in cooperation with King county, a spawning channel on property owned by King county on the Cedar river.  King county shall make available the land and design, construct, maintain, and operate the parking and interpretive facilities.  King county is encouraged to enlist the assistance of volunteer cooperative groups to make this project a success.  The department of fisheries shall provide the design, construction, maintenance, and operation of the spawning channel.  The department shall commence the design and construction of the spawning channel on the effective date of this section and shall complete the project before the 1989 spawning season.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     The University of Washington school of fisheries shall conduct a study to determine what, if any, sockeye predation problems exist in Lake Washington.  The study shall evaluate, among other things, enhancement activities by the department of wildlife, predation by squawfish and environmental problems.  The University of Washington school of fisheries shall report its findings and recommendations to the legislature before January 1, 1990.  The progress and outcome of this predation study shall not in any way affect the design and construction of the Cedar river spawning channel identified in section 2 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     Sections 1 and 2 of this act are each added to chapter 75.52 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.     (1) The sum of seven hundred ninety thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1989, from the general fund to the department of fisheries for the purposes of designing and constructing a spawning channel on the Cedar river as required by this act.

          (2) The sum of ten thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1989, from the general fund to the University of Washington school of fisheries to conduct the sockeye predation study as required by this act.