_______________________________________________
SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 6324
_______________________________________________
AS
AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
Passed
Legislature - 1998 Regular Session
State
of Washington 55th Legislature 1998 Regular Session
By
Read
first time 02/05/98.
Rehabilitating salmon and trout populations with a remote
site incubator program.
AN
ACT Relating to fish enhancement with remote site incubators; adding a new
section to chapter 75.50 RCW; and creating new sections.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 1. The
legislature finds that trout and salmon populations are depleted in many state
waters. Restoration of these populations to a healthy status requires improved
protection of these species and their habitats. However, in some instances
restoration of self-sustaining populations also requires the reintroduction of
the fish into their native habitat.
Remote
site incubators have been shown to be a cost-effective means of bypassing the
early period of high mortality experienced by salmonid eggs that are naturally
spawned in streams. In addition, remote site incubators provide an efficient
method for reintroduction of fish into areas that are not seeded by natural
spawning. The technology for remote site incubators is well developed, and
their application is easily accomplished in a wide variety of habitat by
persons with a moderate level of training.
It
is a goal of the remote site incubator program to assist the reestablishment of
wild salmon and trout populations that are self-sustaining through natural
spawning. In other cases, where the habitat has been permanently damaged and
natural populations cannot sustain themselves, the remote site incubator
program may become a cost-effective long-term solution for supplementation of
fish populations.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 2. A
new section is added to chapter 75.50 RCW to read as follows:
(1)
The department shall develop and implement a program utilizing remote site
incubators in Washington state. The program shall identify sites in
tributaries that are suitable for reestablishing self-sustaining, locally
adapted populations of coho, chum, or chinook salmon. The initial selection of
sites shall be completed by July 1, 1999, and updated annually thereafter.
(2)
The department may only approve a remote site incubator project if the
department deems it is consistent with the conservation of wild salmon and
trout. The department shall only utilize appropriate salmonid eggs in remote
site incubators, and may acquire eggs by gift or purchase.
(3)
The department shall depend chiefly upon volunteer efforts to implement the
remote site incubator program through volunteer cooperative projects and the
regional fisheries enhancement groups. The department may prioritize remote
site incubator projects within regional enhancement areas.
(4)
The department may purchase remote site incubators and may use agency employees
to construct remote site incubators. The director and the secretary of the
department of corrections shall jointly investigate the potential of producing
remote site incubators through the prison industries program of the department
of corrections, and shall jointly report their finding to the natural resources
committees of the house of representatives and the senate by December 1, 1999.
(5)
The department shall investigate the use of the remote site incubator
technology for the production of warm water fish.
(6)
The department shall evaluate the initial results of the program and report to
the legislature by December 1, 2000. Annual reports on the progress of the
program shall be provided to the fish and wildlife commission.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 3. If
specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or
chapter number, is not provided by June 30, 1998, in the omnibus appropriations
act, this act is null and void.
Passed the Senate March 9, 1998.
Passed the House March 4, 1998.
Approved by the Governor
April 1, 1998.
Filed
in Office of Secretary of State April 1, 1998.
