Title: An act relating to salmon and steelhead recovery.

Brief Description: Modifying provisions for salmon and steelhead recovery in the lower Columbia region.

Sponsors: Senators Doumit, Zarelli and Jacobsen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation: 1/31/05, 2/9/05 [DP].

Passed Senate: 3/8/05, 46-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, OCEAN & RECREATION

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Doumit, Vice Chair; Oke, Ranking Minority Member; Fraser, Hargrove, Morton, Spanel and Stevens.

Staff: Vic Moon (786-7469)

Background: The lower Columbia River area has a salmon and steelhead planning group authorized by the 1998 legislature. The regional group has developed a plan which has been
submitted to the federal agencies and has been reviewed by both the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Governor's Salmon Recovery Office.

Summary of Bill: The statute authorizing the lower Columbia recovery group is expanded to cover salmon. The group is authorized to oversee the implementation of the salmon and steelhead recovery effort. The membership of the group is clarified and the termination date of July 1, 2006 is changed to July 1, 2010.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: Changes are needed to reflect the salmon recovery issue and direct the group to implement the plan which has been submitted to the federal government.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Kevin Ranker, San Juan County; Jeff Breckel, Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board.

House Amendment(s): Language is added to emphasize that the coordination, monitoring, and plan implementation is primarily for salmon habitat maintenance and restoration.

Passed House: 96-0.