SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   ESB 5675

                      AS PASSED SENATE, JANUARY 29, 1992

Brief Description:  Requiring a restoration plan for Skagit river salmon.

SPONSORS:Senators Metcalf, McMullen, Anderson and Bailey.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786‑7413)

Hearing Dates:February 25, 1991

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES & WILDLIFE

BACKGROUND:

Skagit River salmon stocks are depressed far below historical levels of abundance. 

There is no formal recovery plan for improvement of Skagit River salmon runs.

SUMMARY:

The Director of the Department of Fisheries shall present a Skagit River salmon recovery plan to the Legislature by December 31, 1992.  The plan shall utilize both hatchery technology and natural salmon spawning in order to improve the salmon runs.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Skagit salmon runs need to be increased.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Bob Lake, Willapa Bay Gilnett (pro); Gene Di Donato, Department of Fisheries (pro); Steve Arbaugh, PSGH (pro); Bill Jones, Wildcat Steelhead Hub Sportsmen (pro)

HOUSE AMENDMENT(S)

Displaced timber workers shall be employed in salmon restoration tasks.  The utilization of hatchery programs is no longer an important part of the recovery plan.