HOUSE BILL REPORT
2SSB 6227
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported by House Committee On:
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Title: An act relating to strengthening Washington's outer coast marine resources committees.
Brief Description: Providing support and resources to outer coast marine resources committees.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senator Jacobsen).
Brief History:
Agriculture & Natural Resources: 2/25/08, 2/27/08 [DP].
Brief Summary of Second Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Blake, Chair; Van De Wege, Vice Chair; Kretz, Ranking Minority Member; Warnick, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Eickmeyer, Grant, Kristiansen, Lantz, Loomis, McCoy, Nelson, Newhouse and Orcutt.
Staff: Jaclyn Ford (786-7339).
Background:
Congress created the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative (Conservation
Initiative) in 1998 as a conservation and restoration program serving the northwest portion of
Puget Sound. The Conservation Initiative is charged with establishing community-based
marine stewardship, conducting citizen-driven scientific studies on marine species and their
habitat, and restoring marine habitat.
The Conservation Initiative has established seven Marine Resource Committees (MRCs), one
for each of the following counties: Clallam, Island, Jefferson, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish,
and Whatcom. Each of these MRCs are citizen-based, with representatives from local
government, tribal government, and the scientific, economic, recreational, and conservation
communities.
In 2007 the Legislature authorized all outer coast counties to establish MRCs for their coastal
areas, along with certain Puget Sound counties. The statutory purpose of MRCs is to address,
utilizing sound science, the needs of the marine ecosystem local to the county initiating the
MRC. County legislative authorities may create MRCs. In addition, citizens may also
petition the county to create an MRC.
State MRC membership must reflect balanced representation from local governments,
scientific experts, economic interests, recreational interests, environmental interests, and
tribal representation. Generally, county legislative authorities determine MRC membership.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is the coordinating entity for
outer coast MRCs.
Salmon recovery lead entities are local, watershed-based organizations that prioritize and
submit to the Salmon Recovery Funding Board habitat protection and restoration projects for
funding consideration.
Summary of Bill:
The Outer Coast Marine Resources Committee Program (Program) is created to support outer
coast MRCs. As director of the Program, the WDFW must: (1) provide each outer coast
MRC with a coordinator to support the committee's work; and (2) distribute grants to outer
coast MRCs to support projects that benefit coastal marine resources.
The MRCs must annually report their activities and recommendations to the Governor and
Legislature. Additionally, the WDFW must develop grant procedures and processes, which
may include annual funding allocations for each MRC.
An MRC membership must include representation from local residents. In lieu of creating a
new entity to serve as an outer coast or Puget Sound MRC, a county legislative authority may
designate a salmon recovery lead entity organization to also serve as the MRC. However, a
county may only make this designation upon consent of the lead entity organization.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This legislation is very important. All interests have been involved in the
crafting of this legislation. Locals need to be involved and this bill would provide positive
engagement and stewardship. This bill will help coordinate local community projects with
other state projects. Having staff and a coordinator is essential for success, and this bill
would provide that. The MRCs are great public awareness programs.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Dale Beasley, Columbia River Crab Fisherman's Association; Ray Toste, Washington Dungeness Crab Fisherman's Association; Ed Owens, Coalition of Coastal Fisheries; Jody Kennedy, Surfrider Foundation; and Bill Robinson, The Nature Conservancy.