SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SSB 6264

              AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 14, 1994

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

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6264 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Owen, Chairman; Hargrove, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Erwin, Franklin, Haugen, Oke, Sellar, L. Smith, Snyder and Spanel.

Staff:  Vic Moon (786‑7469)

Hearing Dates: January 31, 1994; February 4, 1994

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. 

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

Effective Date:  July 1, 1994

TESTIMONY FOR:

A compact is needed to back up the four states' efforts and to require coordination.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

Some confusing language should be clarified.

TESTIFIED:  Ann Morgan, DNR (pro); Barbara Lindsay, Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association (pro); Ed Manary, Department of Fisheries (pro)