HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 5126

                       As Passed House

                        April 6, 1993

Title:  An act relating to the geographical landmark at Cape Shoalwater.

Brief Description:  Correcting references to the geographical landmark on Cape Shoalwater.

Sponsors:  Senators Snyder, Owen, Haugen, Spanel, Sellar, Oke, Bauer, Amondson and Erwin; by request of Department of Fisheries.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Fisheries & Wildlife, March 18, 1993, DP;

Passed House, April 6, 1993, 98-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES & WILDLIFE

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives King, Chair; Orr, Vice Chair; Fuhrman, Ranking Minority Member; Sehlin, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Basich; Chappell; Foreman; Lemmon; and Scott.

Staff:  Keitlyn Watson (786-7310).

Background:  Current law references the Cape Shoalwater light for purposes of identifying the fishing area boundary for the Department of Fisheries' Willapa Bay - Columbia River Licensing District and for the purpose of defining an area where salmon harvest with nets is prohibited.  The lighthouse has been torn down and a new tower has been constructed 400 yards to the west.  A new reference must be used to set fishing area boundaries.

Summary of Bill:  References to the Cape Shoalwater "light" are changed to "tower," for the purposes of accurately defining the boundary of the Willapa Bay - Columbia River Licensing District and for referencing the area where salmon net harvest is prohibited.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The Cape Shoalwater lighthouse has been torn down.  A tower has been built about 400 yards away that would make a fine new landmark for the purpose of demarcating a fishing area boundary. 

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Cyreis Schmitt, Department of Fisheries (pro).