READ FIRST TIME 03/07/05.   

     AN ACT Relating to geoduck harvest in Hood Canal; adding new sections to chapter 79.96 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   A new section is added to chapter 79.96 RCW to read as follows:
     The department shall conduct a study to determine if changes to the geoduck populations in Hood Canal have occurred over time. The department's study shall compare prior population surveys with current surveys conducted as part of this study. The study shall incorporate geoduck beds representative of the northern, central, and southern areas of Hood Canal. No later than January 1, 2006, the department shall submit a report describing the study results to the appropriate committees of the legislature.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 79.96 RCW to read as follows:
     The department shall conduct a study to assess the relationship between the Hood Canal's geoduck population levels and environmental conditions, including dissolved oxygen concentrations. To conduct this study, the department shall establish geoduck index stations near the department of ecology's Hood Canal water sampling stations. The index stations shall include stations representative of the northern, central, and southern areas of Hood Canal. No later than December 1, 2007, the department shall submit a report describing the study results to the appropriate committees of the legislature.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 79.96 RCW to read as follows:
     The department shall conduct a study to establish an age profile and analyze the shell oxidation rate of Hood Canal geoduck. To conduct this study, the department shall establish sampling stations representative of the northern, central, and southern areas of Hood Canal. No later than December 1, 2007, the department shall submit a report describing the study results to the appropriate committees of the legislature.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   Sections 1 through 3 of this act expire July 1, 2008.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by June 30, 2005, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act is null and void.