SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SSB 5343

                        AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 8, 1991

Brief Description:  Establishing a plan for mitigation requirements if game fish habitat is impaired.

SPONSORS:Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Owen, Amondson, Sutherland, Conner, Metcalf, Bauer, Hansen, Vognild, Madsen and Bailey).

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5343 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Oke, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Conner, Owen, Patterson, Snyder, and Sutherland. 

Staff:  Vic Moon (786‑7469)

Hearing Dates:February 19, 1991

BACKGROUND:

Mitigation for loss of fish habitat is established by the Department of Wildlife for each project.  Usually the person proposing the project provides for the funds for mitigation which the department itself undertakes. 

SUMMARY:

The Legislature declares that it is public policy to provide a method to allow the private propagation, production and enhancement of fish to aid in mitigation, and that entities that are required to mitigate for fish loss may contract with private fish growers to establish mitigation requirements and provide a mechanism so that the mitigator can meet requirements by entering into a private contract with aquatic farmers.  The Department of Wildlife shall allow persons receiving permits and licenses the option of purchasing fish from aquatic farmers under health, species and number requirements set by the department.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

This is an excellent method to provide fish and meet needs of the state, those who develop projects, and private aquatic farmers (supported the concept of the bill and the substitute).

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Jim Zimmerman, Trout Lodge (pro); Ron Peregrin, Department of Wildlife (pro); Dick Wallace, Department of Ecology (pro)