Brief Description: Concerning planting of certain trout.

Sponsors: Senators Swecker, Jacobsen, Oke, Spanel, Hargrove, Morton, Doumit, Stevens and Rasmussen.

Hearing Date: 3/22/05

Staff: Jason Callahan (786-7117).

Background:

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is authorized to purchase sterile privately-produced triploid trout to supplement trout populations raised in Department-operated hatcheries, but only if the cost of the program is less than the estimated increase in revenue from license sales and federal grants attributable to the planting of the privately-produced fish.

The privately-produced trout may not be released in waters where they have an adverse impact on wild trout. The maximum number of triploid trout that can be released is determined by the Fish and Wildlife Commission (Commission), and during the years 1999 and 2000, the Commission was authorized to make a determination as to which waters in the state were suitable for being used to receive planted triploid trout.

In 2005, the Department plans to release triploid trout in 91 lakes across 31 counties. The final release is planned to total almost 62,000 individual fish.

Summary of Bill:

The statute that ties the Department's ability to purchase privately-produced triploid trout to the ability of the Department to recover the costs from license sales and federal grants is repealed. The Department will be able to purchase privately-produced trout regardless of whether costs can be recovered.

The authority that existed in 1999 and 2000 for the Commission to determine which waters are appropriate for receiving triploid trout is reinstated and made permanent.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on 3/17/05.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.