S‑0512.2   _____________________________________________

SENATE BILL 5250

           _____________________________________________

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2001 Regular Session

By Senators Stevens and Zarelli

Read first time 01/17/2001.  Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines.

_1      AN ACT Relating to mountain goat population analysis; creating

_2  a new section; making an appropriation; and declaring an

_3  emergency.

_4  BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

_5      NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that mountain goats

_6  are a valuable resident of Washington's mountainous areas and a

_7  species that must be maintained to ensure diversity of wildlife

_8  species in the remote areas of the state.  The legislature further

_9  finds that there are Indian tribes within the state such as the

10  Sauk-Suiattle who rely on mountain goats for a variety of cultural

11  and economic reasons.  The legislature further finds that many

12  people are concerned that the population has declined to

13  critically low levels.  The legislature further finds that the exact

14  health and size of the mountain goat populations found within the

15  state is not known.

16      The legislature further finds that baseline ecological and

17  population data are lacking for sound management of mountain goats

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_1  in Washington.  Therefore, the legislature declares that information

_2  on population size and status are essential to adequately manage

_3  mountain goats and perpetuate the species.

_4      NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  The sum of five hundred thousand dollars,

_5  or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the

_6  general fund to the department of fish and wildlife for the fiscal

_7  year ending June 30, 2002, solely to develop partnerships with

_8  state, federal, and tribal agencies to conduct a study of mountain

_9  goat populations in Washington.

10      NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  This act is necessary for the immediate

11  preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of

12  the state government and its existing public institutions, and

13  takes effect immediately.

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