SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5737

                    As of February 8, 1999

Title:  An act relating to fish passage barriers.

Brief Description:  Requiring compliance schedules for eliminating fish passage barriers.

Sponsors:  Senator Jacobsen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation:  2/15/99.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & RECREATION

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786-7413)

Background:  Juvenile and adult anadromous fish migration may be blocked by culverts, dams, water diversions and other hydraulic projects.  Removal or modification of fish migration barriers will allow anadromous fish access to watershed areas that are now blocked.

A key element of salmon restoration planning is the elimination of fish migration barriers.

Summary of Bill:  Anadromous salmonid migration barriers are inventoried, placed on a prioritized list, and modification plans are developed under the authority of the interagency review team.  Provisions are made to develop a maintenance plan for fish passage facilities and a monitoring program to assure that the passage facility continues to be effective.  State agency funding for migration barrier removal must be preferentially applied to projects that have high priority by the interagency review team.

Owners of fish migration barriers that require modification to assist fish passage and are in compliance with the interagency review team plan are granted exemption from fish guard and fishway requirements until June 30, 2003.

The Governor must submit a summary of the fish passage barrier removal program in his or her biennial state of the salmon report.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 8, 1999.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.