VETO MESSAGE ON SB 5120-S2

                   May 20, 1997

To the Honorable President and Members,

  The Senate of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am returning herewith, without my approval, Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5120 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to fish enhancement with remote site incubators;"

     Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5120 establishes a program to promote Remote Site Incubators (RSI's) for salmonid recovery.  Although RSI's can play a role in salmonid recovery, I have specific concerns that this program is premature because our state's wild salmonid program is not yet in place.

     I urge the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) to look at RSI's in view of the Wild Salmonid Policy and potential Endangered Species Act listings.  I encourage DFW to work with the tribes and the legislature to develop guidelines which will allow the use of RSI's while protecting the state's vital wild salmon stocks. 

     For these reasons, I have vetoed Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5120 in its entirety.

     I am hereby returning, without my approval, Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5120.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Gary Locke

                   Governor