HB 2496-S.E - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Declares an intent to develop a structure that allows for the coordinated delivery of federal, state, and local assistance to communities for the recovery and enhancement of salmon stocks within the state while also addressing improvements to water quality.

     Recognizes that a science-based approach that incorporates adaptive management strategies will be needed to help salmon stocks recover, and that an effective monitoring system is essential for implementing adaptive management.

     Finds that a coordinated framework for responding to the salmon crisis is needed immediately.  To that end, the salmon recovery office should be created within the governor's office to provide overall coordination of the state's response; an independent science team is needed to provide scientific review and oversight; regional councils should be formed to provide a mechanism to include local knowledge and decision making into salmon recovery efforts, a strong locally based effort to restore salmon habitat should be established by providing a framework to allow citizen volunteers to work effectively, and by adding new regional fisheries enhancement groups.

     Requires that, by December 31, 1998, the governor shall submit a summary of the implementation of this act to the legislature, and include recommendations to the legislature that would further the success of salmon recovery.

     Provides that beginning in 1999, the governor shall submit a biennial state of the salmon report to the legislature during the first week of December.

     Creates the salmon recovery office within the office of the governor for the purpose of having a coordinated state strategy to allow for salmon recovery to healthy sustainable population levels with productive commercial and recreational fisheries.

     Creates an independent science panel consisting of five scientists appointed by the governor.