Title: An act relating to abolishing the Washington wildlife rescue coalition.

Brief Description: Abolishing the Washington wildlife rescue coalition.

Sponsors: Senators Fraser, Swecker, Jacobsen, Rockefeller and Shin.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation: 1/25/07 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, OCEAN & RECREATION

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

Staff: Jan Odano (786-7486)

Background: The Washington Wildlife Rescue Coalition (Coalition) was established in 1990 to coordinate the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife injured by oil spills or by the release of other hazardous material into state waters. The Coalition developed and maintained emergency mobilization plans and acquired equipment and supplies necessary for emergency rescue efforts.

After the creation of the Coalition, federal law made the Coalition obsolete. Federal law requires the person responsible for polluting to pay for cleanup of oil spills and rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service implements the incident command structure for wildlife rescue and rehabilitation efforts and contingency planning. The Department of Fish and Wildlife is the state designated lead agency for coordinating strategies and procedures for wildlife rescue and rehabilitation activities.

Summary of Bill: The Washington Wildlife Rescue Coalition statute is repealed.

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.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This is a cleanup/housekeeping measure. Other federal agencies have authority for the Coalition's duties.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Curt Leigh, Department of Fish and Wildlife.