S-4048.1          _______________________________________________

                        SECOND SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6197

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State of Washington              52nd Legislature             1992 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Owen, Craswell and Oke)

Read first time 02/11/92.Establishing Hood Canal as a unique marine resources area.

     AN ACT Relating to establishing Hood Canal as a marine fish preservation area; adding new sections to Title 75 RCW; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.      The legislature finds that:

     (1) Hood Canal is one of the state's most valuable food fish producing areas;

     (2) Maintaining and enhancing the food fish resource in Hood Canal is in the best interests of the state;

     (3) Fishing opportunity in Hood Canal has declined in recent years;

     (4) It is important to halt this decline; and

     (5) The department of fisheries should continue to seek additional actions that will increase the food fish resource in Hood Canal and enhance fishing opportunity.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to Title 75 RCW to read as follows:

     All marine waters lying south of the Hood Canal floating bridge shall be designated as a "unique marine resources area."  This designation is intended to preserve, protect, and enhance the food fish resource, to improve the productivity of the resource, and to encourage the full development of fishing opportunities.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  A new section is added to Title 75 RCW to read as follows:

     In seeking to improve the food fish resource in Hood Canal, the department shall consider additional area closures for food fish, additional gear restrictions, reprogramming of Hood Canal salmon hatcheries, increasing efforts with nonprofit volunteer organizations, and a reduction of fishing effort by adjusting the number of vessels fishing at a given time.  The department shall take appropriate administrative action to advise the public of areas closed to the taking of food fish.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.      The department of fisheries shall conduct a study for the purpose of determining the cause of the decline in runs of Hood Canal origin coho, which might be the result of habitat and survival conditions in the canal or the result of other causes.  This study shall formulate recommendations to the legislature concerning appropriate specific actions which should be taken to correct any problems which are identified and their respective practicality.  The department shall report the results of this study to the legislature not later than December 31, 1992.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.      The department of fisheries shall provide a report to the legislature regarding actions taken to implement section 3 of this act.  The report shall be provided to the legislature not later than December 31, 1992.