SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5935

                    As of February 23, 1999

Title:  An act relating to the recovery of salmon.

Brief Description:  Creating a managing task force to facilitate the recovery of salmon.

Sponsors:  Senators Jacobsen, Oke, Snyder, McDonald, Spanel, Swecker, Sellar, Morton, Hale, T. Sheldon, Rasmussen, Winsley and Stevens.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation:  3/3/99.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & RECREATION

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786-7413)

Background:  Salmon recovery efforts were initiated by the 1998 Legislature which passed two significant legislative frameworks, ESHB 2496 (C 246, L 98), and ESHB 2836 (C 60, L 98).  Both laws established mechanisms for locally based salmon habitat restoration and protection.

An additional governance structure to control salmon habitat restoration would involve more people in the decision-making process.

Summary of Bill:  A managing task force is created to oversee a wide variety of habitat restoration programs on salmon bearing streams.  The task force is comprised of 16 voting members and at least 25 ex officio members.

The task force must adopt an action plan, collect comprehensive information on the progress of salmon recovery efforts, coordinate habitat restoration with harvest and hatchery program changes, emphasize voluntary programs with landowners, develop programs with a high degree of flexibility, utilize volunteers, encourage multiple uses, authorize spawning improvement projects, control surplus runoff, and a large number of other functions all utilizing ongoing governmental processes.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 23, 1999.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.