H-1254.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 1697

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2001 Regular Session

By Representatives Ericksen and Pennington

Read first time 02/01/2001.  Referred to Committee on Natural Resources.

Creating a pilot program to allow sport fishers to land fish at Point Roberts.

    AN ACT Relating to creating a pilot program to allow food fish caught in Canadian waters by sports fishers to be landed in Point Roberts; creating a new section; making an appropriation; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  (1) The legislature recognizes that Point Roberts is uniquely situated in this state.  Unless approached by the water, it is necessary to travel through part of Canada to enter Point Roberts.  Because of its location, residents of Point Roberts may be alongside Canadian boaters who are fishing in Canadian waters that are open for fishing, but the residents of Point Roberts are unable to land fish caught from these same waters at the same time.  The legislature therefore finds that a limited pilot program should be established to determine if it is possible to extend sport fishing opportunities for residents of Point Roberts without exceeding conservation limits established for the fish.

    (2) The department of fish and wildlife shall establish a one-year pilot program to allow food fish caught for personal use in Canadian waters during closed fishing periods in Washington waters to be landed in Point Roberts.  The department shall establish the number of fish that may be landed under this pilot program and reasonable enforcement mechanisms to enforce the landing requirements.  The department shall adopt reasonable rules for the establishment of this pilot program.

    (3) Nothing in this section eliminates the need for a valid Canadian fishing license if one is required.

    (4) The department shall compare the landing levels under the pilot program with landing levels prior to establishment of the pilot program.  The department shall report its findings, including any difficulties in enforcing the program, to the appropriate legislative committees by December 1, 2001.

    (5) This section expires January 1, 2002.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  The sum of forty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2002, from the general fund to the department of fish and wildlife for the purposes of this act.

                            --- END ---