SENATE BILL REPORT

                  HJM 4032

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

         Natural Resources & Parks, February 20, 1998

Brief Description:  Regarding salmon and steelhead under the federal Endangered Species Act.

Sponsors:  Representatives Buck, Butler, Chandler, DeBolt, Sehlin, Hatfield, McCune, Doumit, Kessler, Zellinsky and Thompson.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources & Parks:  2/20/98 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Oke, Chair; Rossi, Vice Chair; Hargrove, Jacobsen, Morton, Snyder, Spanel and Swecker.

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786-7413)

Background:  The listings of salmon and steelhead under the federal Endangered Species Act are expected to have significant economic impacts on the people of the state of Washington.  The state is expected to develop recovery plans for these listed species.  Because most salmonids spend the majority of their lives outside of waters controlled by the state, federal actions are critical to ensuring the success of salmonid recovery efforts in Washington State.

Summary of Bill:  The President and the Congress of the United States are petitioned to:

(1)immediately resolve the United States-Canada fishing dispute;

(2)enforce the 200-mile limit and the ban on high seas drift net fishing; and

(3)provide funding for salmon recovery efforts which mitigate the loss of habitat caused by the construction of hydroelectric dams on the Columbia River.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Testimony For:  The federal government needs to fulfill its responsibilities in order to assist the state=s salmon recovery efforts.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Representative Jim Buck, prime sponsor; Paul Parker, WA State Association of Counties.