H-4688.1          _______________________________________________

                            SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2463

                  _______________________________________________

State of Washington              54th Legislature             1996 Regular Session

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

Read first time 02/01/96. 

Requiring implementation of salmon restoration action plans.

     AN ACT Relating to salmon restoration; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  (1) By July 1, 1996, the habitat, fish management, and ecosystem programs of the department of fish and wildlife shall develop an action plan for the restoration of watersheds where the depressed condition of the natural spawning salmon stocks has required the restriction or closure of highly beneficial and traditional salmon fisheries.

     (2) The salmon restoration action plan shall:

     (a) Identify factors limiting salmon production and develop short and long-term plans to address them;

     (b) Use volunteers to the greatest extent possible;

     (c) Emphasize the restoration of chinook and coho stocks with consideration given to the requirements of other weak or depressed fish stocks;

     (d) Create new fisheries and enhance existing fisheries;

     (e) Incorporate the use of all viable enhancement tools including remote site incubators, where appropriate; and

     (f) Develop cost estimates for identified restoration opportunities and evaluate the possibility for cost sharing through other federal, state, and local community partnerships.

     (3) This section shall apply to watersheds draining into Hood Canal, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the North Olympic coast.

     (4) The department shall report to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature by December 1, 1996, on progress toward implementation of short-term restoration activities, and projected time frames for long-term efforts.

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