5064-S2.SBR

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Natural Resources: 1/10/95, 2/10/95 [DPS-WM].

Ways & Means: 3/3/95, 3/6/95 [DP2S].

Passed Senate, 3/14/95, 46-2.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5064 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill 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: Regional fisheries enhancement groups were authorized by statute in 1989 for the purpose of encouraging organized volunteer efforts to improve anadromous fish populations. The regional groups desire additional funding, improved technical assistance, greater coordination with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and an opportunity to generate funds through the sale of surplus salmon and salmon eggs.

Summary of Bill: Regional fisheries enhancement groups are assisted in the following manner: the Department of Fish and Wildlife shall provide engineering and technical assistance as available, the Department of Transportation shall assist in providing engineering services for anadromous fish migration blockages caused by roads and highways, training procedures will be developed for management of regional group funds, the Department of Fish and Wildlife shall field test remote site incubator program in conjunction with regional groups, funds may be generated through sale of salmon carcass and eggs, the Department of Fish and Wildlife shall provide 3-1/2 FTE's for biological support staff to regional groups, regional groups are exempt from requirements of the shoreline permit process for fish habitat projects, the role of the regional group advisory board is expanded, and a null and void clause is added.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 3, 1995.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For: Regional fisheries enhancement groups are performing a service to the state and the fish resource and they need assistance from the department and the Legislature.

Testimony Against: The department does not desire to see the activities of the regional fisheries enhancement groups expand.

Testified: Ed Manary, WDF&W (con); Terry Wright, NWIFC (pro); C. S. Sodhi, Chehalis Tribe (pro); Kate Marsh, Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (con); Mary Nash, member, SPSSCG (pro); Don Stuart, Salmon For Washington; Bob Lake, Willapa Bay Gillnetters; Paul Parker, WA State Assoc. of Counties.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report: That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5064 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Rinehart, Chair; Loveland, Vice Chair; Cantu, Drew, Finkbeiner, Fraser, Gaspard, Hargrove, Hochstatter, Johnson, Long, McDonald, Moyer, Pelz, Roach, Sheldon, Strannigan, West and Winsley.

Staff: Tracy Cox (786-7437)

Testimony For: Regional fisheries enhancement groups are performing a service to the state and the fish resource, and they need reliable, steady financial assistance from the Legislature.

Testimony Against: The department does not desire to see the activities of the regional fisheries enhancement groups expand.

Testified: Mary Nash (pro); Ed Manary, Department of Fish and Wildlife (con).

House Amendment(s): Proceeds from the sale of salmon carcasses and salmon eggs to general funded Department of Fish and Wildlife hatcheries are deposited in the regional group enhancement account; annual proceeds over the period of 1990 to 1993 have varied from $292,000 to $707,000. The regional advisory board shall develop a training and technical assistance plan, and perform various services for the regional groups. The Department of Fish and Wildlife is given authority to establish rules and to oversee the regional group carcass and egg sale program. Specific mention of FTEs for support staff and the null and void clause are removed.