BP BHEAD INT S

AN ACT Relating to game fish; adding a new chapter to Title 77 RCW; and providing effective dates.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A warm water game fish enhancement program is created in the department to be funded from the sale of warm water game fish stamps and the revenue attributed to the sale of department fishing licenses that are purchased by fishers who primarily fish for warm water game fish. The enhancement program shall be designed to increase the opportunities to fish for and catch warm water game fish such as: Largemouth black bass, smallmouth black bass, channel catfish, black bullhead, black crappie, yellow perch, bluegill, walleye, pumpkinseed, rock bass, sunfish, and other warm water game fish. The program shall be designed to use a practical applied approach to increasing warm water fishing. The department shall use the funds available efficiently to assure the greatest increase in the fishing for warm water fish at the lowest cost. This approach shall involve the minimization of overhead and administrative costs and the maximization of productive in-the-field activities.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) A warm water game fish stamp allows a person to fish throughout the state for warm water game fish.

(2) The annual fee for a game fish stamp is ten dollars and the stamp is required in addition to an annual game fishing license.

(3) The department shall use the most cost-effective format in designing and administering the warm water game fish stamp.

(4) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, "warm water game fish" includes the following species: Bass, catfish, walleye, sunfish, crappie, perch, bullhead, bluegill, and other species as defined by the department.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The goals of the warm water game fish enhancement program are to improve the fishing for warm water game fish using cost-effective management. Development of new ponds and lakes shall be an important and integral part of the program. The department shall work with the department of natural resources to coordinate the reclamation of surface mines and the development of warm water game fish ponds. Improvement of warm water fishing shall be coordinated with the protection and conservation of cold water fish populations. This shall be accomplished by carefully designing the warm water projects to have minimal adverse effects upon the cold water fish populations. New pond and lake development should have beneficial effects upon wildlife due to the increase in lacustrine and wetland habitat that will accompany the improvement of warm water fish habitat. The department shall not develop projects that will increase the populations of deleterious fish species such as carp, squawfish, walking catfish, and others.

Fish culture programs shall be used in conditions where they will prove to be cost-effective. Consideration should be made for development of urban area enhancement of fishing opportunity for put-and-take species, such as channel catfish, which are amenable to production by low-cost fish culture methods. Fish culture shall also be used for stocking of high value species, such as walleye, smallmouth bass, and tiger muskey. Introduction of special genetic strains that show high potential for recreational fishing improvement, including Florida strain largemouth bass, shall be considered.

Transplantation and introduction of exotic warm water fish shall be carefully reviewed to assure that adverse effects to native fish and wildlife populations do not occur. This review shall include an analysis of consequences from disease and parasite introduction.

Population management through the use of fish toxicants, including rotenone or derris root, shall be an integral part of the warm water game fish enhancement program. However, any use of fish toxicants shall be subject to a thorough review to prevent adverse effects to cold water fish, desirable warm water fish, and other biota. Eradication of deleterious fish species shall be a goal of the program.

Habitat improvement shall be a major aspect of the warm water enhancement program. Habitat improvement opportunities shall be defined with scientific investigations, field surveys, and by using the extensive experience of other state management entities. Installation of cover, structure, water flow control structures, screens, spawning substrate, vegetation control, and other management techniques shall be fully used. The department shall work to gain access to privately owned waters that can be developed with habitat improvements to improve the warm water resource for public fishing. Habitat improvements shall be conducted in such a manner as to have secondary benefits to waterfowl, other wildlife, and cold water fish.

The department shall use the resources of cooperative groups to assist in the planning and implementation of the warm water game fish enhancement program. In the development of the program the department shall actively involve the organized fishing clubs that primarily fish for warm water fish.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The warm water game fish account is hereby created in the state wildlife fund. Moneys in the account are subject to legislative appropriation and shall be used for the purpose of funding the warm water game fish enhancement program, including the development of warm water pond and lake habitat, culture of warm water game fish, improvement of warm water fish habitat, management of warm water fish populations, and other practical activities that will improve the fishing for warm water fish.

Funds from the sale of warm water game fish stamps shall be placed in the warm water game fish account. Once each year the director shall deposit into the warm water game fish account the amount of funds that are attributable to those persons who purchase game fish fishing licenses for the purpose of fishing primarily for warm water game fish. The director may estimate the proportion of game fish anglers who fish primarily for warm water fish by using the most accurate angler survey data.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. Sections 1 through 4 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 77 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. (1) Sections 1, 3, and 4 of this act shall take effect July 1, 1994.

(2) Section 2 of this act shall take effect January 1, 1995.