SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   ESSB 5624

                       AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 12, 1991

Brief Description:  Protecting food fish resources by the department of fisheries.

SPONSORS:Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Craswell, Conner and Metcalf).

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5624 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786‑7413)

Hearing Dates:February 18, 1991; February 26, 1991

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES & WILDLIFE

BACKGROUND:

Persons or government agencies who construct hydraulic projects within the waters or aquatic bed lands of the state must have a hydraulic permit from either the Department of Fisheries or Department of Wildlife.

Persons who wish to build hydraulic projects on property which is a single family residence wish to have an expedited permit process.

SUMMARY:

Hydraulic permits shall be issued by the Department of Fisheries to single family residence project applicants within 45 days of application.  Bulkheads or rock walls constructed to protect single family residences in marine areas shall receive a hydraulic permit from the Department of Fisheries if:  a new bulkhead or rock wall is within six feet of the high water line, or replacement of an existing bulkhead or rock wall is placed immediately waterward of the existing structure in cases where there are removal problems. The department may condition permits with construction timing constraints to protect fish life.  Disputes involving projects for single family residences may be appealed to the Hydraulic Appeals Board.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

The department is slow to issue hydraulic permits for bulkheads and places unreasonable conditions on the permits.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

The provisions in hydraulic permits are necessary for protection of fish life.

TESTIFIED:  Ed Manary, Department of Fisheries; Dan Foss, Seawall Construction (pro); Glenn Waterman (pro); Renee Beam, Kitsap County; Cliff Thompson, Thompson Piledriving Co. (pro)

HOUSE AMENDMENT(S):

Technical changes are made which clarify that all conditions must be met before permit issuance.