FINAL BILL REPORT

                           SSB 6264

                          C 148 L 94

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Authorizing a regional compact for restoring salmon runs.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Sutherland, Oke and Fraser)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES & WILDLIFE

BACKGROUND:

The Endangered Species Act has been applied to several runs of salmon in the Columbia River.  As a result, Idaho, California, Washington and Oregon are considering cooperative policies to ensure that further runs are not found to be endangered.

The Oregon Legislature has passed this compact.  It is pending in the California Legislature and will be considered in Idaho in 1995.

SUMMARY:

The state of Washington is authorized to enter into an interstate compact with California, Idaho and Oregon to protect and restore coastal ecosystems.  The purpose of the compact is to develop programs that prevent the need for listing of any native salmon species under the federal Endangered Species Act. 

The Governor may establish cooperative agreements with other states in the compact to coordinate individual efforts in developing state programs that further region-wide goals. 

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    48   0

House     97   0

EFFECTIVE:July 1, 1994