FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 2942

PARTIAL VETO

                                   C 91 L 90

BYRepresentatives R. King, Ballard, R. Meyers, Rayburn, McLean, Bowman, Peery, Basich, P. King, Scott, Cole, Crane, Rasmussen, O'Brien, Hine and Dellwo

Requiring progress reports on the recreational fisheries enhancement plan.

House Committe on Fisheries & Wildlife

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Fisheries has developed, over the past 15 months, a recreational fisheries enhancement plan designed to establish Washington as the recreational fishing capital of the nation. Since release of the draft plan in late 1988, it has been reviewed by governmental entities, treaty tribes, and the general public.  The final plan was released in November 1989.

The goals of the plan are expressed on a regional basis for Puget Sound, the coast, the Columbia River Basin, and the ocean.  They include:

1)  Creating a year-round angling opportunity within a one-hour travel time from population centers;

2)  Stabilizing regulations for sport anglers;

3)  Broadening the areas and times for fishing opportunity of sport anglers; and

4)  Establishing a sport fishery from Neah Bay to the mouth of the Columbia River that begins on Memorial Day and extends through Labor Day.

These goals are to be achieved without significant alteration or elimination of commercial fishing opportunity.

Some of the enhancement projects are currently underway.  Through an increase in the department's biennial budget for 1989-91, recreational salmon enhancement projects were funded.  For example, hatchery production of chinook and coho, the favored species of the recreational angler, is being increased at the state's hatchery facilities. Funds have been allocated to develop the resident chinook project for Puget Sound.

SUMMARY:

The director of the Department of Fisheries is to make the following reports to the governor and the appropriate committees of the Legislature regarding progress of the recreational fisheries enhancement plan:

1)  Annually, beginning July 1, 1990, a review of all programs in the plan that are currently underway and an assessment of additional financial and personnel needs; and

2)  Annually, beginning November 1, 1990, a designation of individuals responsible for the management of the enhancement program including those responsible at the regional level, the annual costs of the program per region, the dates of attainment of goals, and the criteria used to measure successful attainment of the plan's goals.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 98   0

      Senate    45     0

EFFECTIVE:June 7, 1990

Partial Veto Summary:  The instructions are deleted that direct the code reviser to place this bill in a specific chapter of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW).  (See VETO MESSAGE)