HB 2578 - DIGEST

Requires the department of ecology, in cooperation with the department of health, the department of natural resources, the department of fish and wildlife, and representatives from affected stakeholders, including, but not limited to, environmental interests, shellfish growers, and organizations representing both public and private outfalls, to conduct a systematic evaluation of point source outfalls in Puget Sound and their impact on shellfish by December 1, 2006.

Requires the evaluation to: (1) Identify all point source outfalls in Puget Sound in relation to shellfish growing areas;

(2) Estimate the shellfish areas closed due to outfalls, including an estimate of the impact on commercial shellfish harvests;

(3) Determine options for altering the outfall to increase shellfish areas available for harvest; and

(4) Prioritize projects based on the costs of making improvements in relation to the economic and environmental benefits of the project.

Requires the department of ecology, in cooperation with the department of health, the department of natural resources, and the department of fish and wildlife, and affected stakeholders to develop recommendations and report findings to the appropriate committees of the legislature for funding options to implement projects identified in this act by December 1, 2006.