BILL REQ. #:  H-1249.2 

Read first time 02/09/2005.   Referred to Committee on Select Committee on Hood Canal.

     AN ACT Relating to collection and preservation of oral histories about Hood Canal; amending RCW 43.07.365; adding a new section to chapter 43.07 RCW; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that Hood Canal is a marine water of the state in significant peril. The legislature also finds that low dissolved oxygen concentrations have occurred in Hood Canal for many years and that these conditions have created a serious environmental health concern. The legislature further finds that substantial fish kills have occurred in Hood Canal in recent years, and scientists and others report significant changes in marine species behavior in Hood Canal.
     (2) The legislature finds that the factors contributing to Hood Canal's low dissolved oxygen problems are complex and that investigation is needed to understand both the problem and its potential solutions. The legislature also finds that a historical perspective is important in understanding Hood Canal's problems. The legislature recognizes the tribal elders and other long-term residents of the Hood Canal area are a great source of knowledge regarding the history of Hood Canal. The legislature finds these tribal elders and others may provide critical insight into the history, impacts, and potential causes of the low dissolved oxygen concentrations occurring in Hood Canal.
     (3) The legislature intends to initiate a process for university students to interview tribal elders and others who have knowledge of the history of conditions along Hood Canal to collect information regarding the history and impacts of Hood Canal's low dissolved oxygen concentrations. The legislature further intends that these interviews and the information learned be preserved as part of the state's oral history program.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 43.07 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The secretary of state, with the assistance of the oral history advisory committee, shall administer and conduct a program to record and document oral histories of tribal elders of the tribes in the area surrounding Hood Canal and other long-term residents of the Hood Canal area who have similar knowledge of the history of the conditions along Hood Canal. The purpose of these interviews is to collect information and perspectives regarding the history of the conditions along Hood Canal, including but not limited to reports of fish kills, changes in marine species behavior, fishing and harvesting histories, and other conditions related to the environmental health of Hood Canal.
     (2) The secretary of state shall contract with the state universities to have university students interview and record the oral histories specified in subsection (1) of this section. The tapes and tape transcripts shall be indexed and made available for research and reference through the state archives. The transcripts, together with current and historical photographs, may be published for distribution to libraries and for sale to the general public.

Sec. 3   RCW 43.07.365 and 2002 c 358 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the secretary of state may fund oral history activities through donations as provided in RCW 43.07.037. The activities may include, but not be limited to, conducting interviews, preparing and indexing transcripts, publishing transcripts and photographs, and presenting displays and programs. Donations that do not meet the criteria of the oral history program may not be accepted. The secretary of state shall adopt rules necessary to implement this section.
     (2) The secretary of state may fund the oral history activities specified in section 2 of this act through appropriations to the oral history, state library, and archives account.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   This act expires July 1, 2008.