2SSB 5886 - H AMD 596 ADOPTED 4-15-97

By Representative Buck

Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

ANEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that:

(1) Currently, many of the salmon stocks on the Washington coast and in Puget Sound are severely depressed and may soon be listed under the federal endangered species act.

(2) Immediate action is needed to reverse the severe decline of this resource and ensure its very survival.

(3) The cooperation and participation of private landowners is crucial in efforts to restore and enhance salmon populations.

(4) Regional fisheries enhancement groups have been exceptionally successful in their efforts to work with private landowners to restore and enhance salmon habitat on private lands.

(5) Regional fisheries enhancement groups have provided the most cost-effective approach to assisting the recovery of salmon fisheries in Washington state. Work undertaken by regional fisheries enhancement groups returns an average of nine dollars in matching funds for every one dollar in expenditures from the regional enhancement account.

(6) State funding for regional fisheries enhancement groups has been declining and is a significant limitation to current fisheries enhancement and habitat restoration efforts.

(7) Therefore, a stable funding source is essential to the success of the regional enhancement groups and their efforts to work cooperatively with private landowners to restore salmon resources.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 75.50 RCW to read as follows:

The department may provide start-up funds to regional fisheries enhancement groups for costs associated with any enhancement project. The regional fisheries enhancement group advisory board and the department shall develop guidelines for providing funds to the regional fisheries enhancement groups.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 75.50 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The regional fisheries enhancement project account is created in the state treasury. All receipts from federal sources and moneys from state sources specified by law must be deposited into the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used for the sole purpose of fisheries enhancement and habitat restoration by regional fisheries enhancement groups.

(2) The salmonid recovery account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts from private gifts, grants, bequests, and donations must be deposited into the account. Expenditures from the account may be used for the sole purpose of fisheries enhancement and habitat restoration by regional fisheries enhancement groups. Only the director or the director's designee may authorize expenditures from the account. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but an appropriation is not required for expenditures.@

Correct the title.