S-3686.2 _______________________________________________
SENATE BILL 6147
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State of Washington 55th Legislature 1998 Regular Session
By Senators Morton and Swecker
Read first time 01/12/98. Referred to Committee on Natural Resources & Parks.
AN ACT Relating to the control of predators to assist in threatened and endangered salmon recovery; creating new sections; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A core function of the department of fish and wildlife is the evaluation of the effects of predation upon threatened, endangered, or depressed salmonid populations and the development of recommendations for the control of predators to assist salmonid population recovery in order to implement the wild salmonid policy and comply with the federal endangered species act. The department shall immediately assess the extent and economic impact of predation upon salmonids by predators such as, but not limited to, seals, sea lions, cormorants, Caspian terns, mergansers, herons, and other fish-eating predators who have a sufficiently large population to cause mortality to salmonid populations. Predation assessment shall be coordinated with treaty Indian tribes and federal fishery management agencies.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The department of fish and wildlife shall assign existing employees in each wildlife management region of the state the duty to assess the degree of predation upon salmonids by fish-eating predators within the existing budgetary resources. The director may reassign personnel from the headquarters office to regional offices for the purpose of the predator evaluation and control program. Each wildlife region shall develop a predator control report for the purpose of improving the survival of critical stocks of salmonids utilizing the most cost-effective control measures. Each region shall develop specific specie-by-specie recommendations for the control of predators to assist in the recovery of threatened or endangered salmonids. All department of fish and wildlife activities specified within this section are time sensitive and must be completed immediately in order to prevent further decline of threatened or endangered salmonid populations.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The fish and wildlife commission shall review the findings of each wildlife management region predator control report and prepare a comprehensive state-wide report to the legislature. The report must outline the necessary legislative actions needed to allow predation control programs and shall include recommendations for full funding to achieve predator control. Recommendations shall be included addressing coordination initiatives with the federal government to assure cooperation with the federal fisheries and wildlife management agencies. The report shall address corrections and changes needed in both state and federal law and policy to control the predation of endangered species. The fish and wildlife commission must submit the report to the appropriate legislative committees by December 10, 1998. The commission shall jointly develop with the treaty Indian tribes a joint state/tribal predator control program.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.
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