FINAL BILL REPORT

                 2SHB 1681

                         C 363 L 99

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Establishing a program to purchase and plant privately grown trout.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Natural Resources (Originally sponsored by Representatives Buck, Grant, Sump, Schoesler, Boldt, Mastin and McMorris).

House Committee on Natural Resources

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Background:

In 1998 a private Washington-based fish farm supplied 60,000 rainbow trout to the Department of Fish and Wildlife, Colville Confederated Tribes, and various fishing and outdoor clubs.  These fish were planted in Eastern Washington lakes, but can be planted in any freshwater body that has sufficient water quality to support fish life. 

Since the fish are sterile, having been bred with three chromosomes instead of two (triploid), they do not interbreed with wild stocks, and continue to grow throughout their lives.  This continued growth along with aggressive feeding habits allow the fish to grow much larger than wild stocks.  At the time of planting the fish ranged between one and two pounds.

These trout are being offered to the state at a price of $2 per fish. 

Summary:

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is authorized to purchase and plant privately grown trout to supplant existing trout hatchery production.  Planting may only occur in water bodies with water quality sufficient to support fish life and must not have an adverse impact on wild trout populations.  The Fish and Wildlife Commission, in consultation with the department is required to determine the maximum number of fish to be planted.  The department is required to geographically distribute the planting.  In addition, the department must report to the Legislature by February 1, 2001, on implementation of the program.  

The Fish and Wildlife Commission may only authorize the purchase of trout if the cost of the program will be recovered by increased license sales and federal funds attributable to the planting of these fish. 

Votes on Final Passage:

     House  94 1

Senate 43 0 (Senate amended)

House(House refused to concur)

Senate(Senate receded)

Senate420(Senate amended)

House915(House concurred)

Effective:May 17, 1999