SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 2463

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

             Natural Resources, February 23, 1996

Title:  An act relating to salmon restoration.

Brief Description:  Requiring implementation of salmon restoration action plans.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Buck, Hatfield, Honeyford, Hymes, Boldt, Kessler and Benton).

Brief History:

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

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  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:  As a result of federal and state law, as well as various federal court cases, the Department of Fish and Wildlife manages salmon fisheries in a manner that protects weak salmon stocks.  For example, the department often limits a fishery in areas where healthy and weak stocks of salmon are intermingled.  These fishery closures or curtailments have caused particular hardship in those areas of mixed stock salmon fisheries.

Summary of Bill:  By July 1, 1996, specified programs within the Department of Fish and Wildlife are directed to develop and implement a salmon enhancement plan for watersheds affected by fishery closures along the North Olympic coast, the Straits of Juan de Fuca, and Hood Canal.

The plan must identify factors limiting salmon production and develop short- and long-term plans to address them.  The plan must also use volunteers; emphasize the restoration of coho, chinook, and other weak stocks; use all viable fishery enhancement tools including remote site incubators, where appropriate; develop cost estimates for restoration activities; and identify opportunities to share the cost of restoration with other governmental and non-governmental entities. 

By December 1, 1996, the department must submit a report to the Legislature on implementation of short-term plan activities and on the projected time frames for long-term activities.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Salmon enhancement measures are needed for Olympic Peninsula rivers and streams to assist in improving the fisheries. 

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Ric Abbett, Trout Unlimited (pro).