SENATE BILL REPORT

                  2SHB 2363

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

             Natural Resources, February 23, 1996

Title:  An act relating to fish habitat restoration.

Brief Description:  Requiring a project for designs to restore anadromous fish habitat in the Chandler irrigation canal and on state‑owned land on Crab creek.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Delvin, Clements, Mastin, Grant and Hankins).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources:  2/22/96, 2/23/96 [DP-WM].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

  Signed by Senators Drew, Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; A. Anderson, Hargrove, Haugen, Morton, Oke, Owen, Snyder, Strannigan and Swecker.

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786-7413)

Background:  Habitat degradation is a primary factor in the decline of many anadromous fish stocks.  Over a half million acres are irrigated in the Columbia Basin Project.

Summary of Bill:  Pilot design studies are necessary to document the benefits of using irrigation facilities and wasteways as a means to provide habitat for salmon and steelhead.

The Washington State University (WSU) is directed to develop conceptual designs for restoring habitat in the Chandler Irrigation Canal and in Crab Creek.  WSU is also directed to identify other irrigation facilities that may provide habitat, cooperate with all appropriate entities, and report to the Legislature by December 1, 1997.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 22, 1996.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.  However, the bill is null and void if not funded in the budget.

Testimony For:  Irrigation facilities may be modified to produce anadromous fish at low cost, and these facilities may be useful for increasing fish runs.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Dawn Vyvyan, Yakama Nation (pro).