Brief Description: Concerning shellfish protection programs.

Sponsors: Senators Fraser, Rockefeller, Poulsen and Kline; by request of Department of Health.

Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation
Senate Committee on Water, Energy & Telecommunications
House Committee on Select Committee on Puget Sound

Background: A county with shellfish tidelands may create shellfish protection districts and adopt shellfish protection programs to address water quality issues affecting growing and harvesting shellfish. When the Department of Health (DOH) closes or downgrades a shellfish growing area, the county must create a shellfish protection district and establish a shellfish protection program within 180 days to address the causes of pollution.

Counties must coordinate and cooperate with cities, towns, and water-related special districts within their boundaries in establishing shellfish protection districts and carrying out shellfish protection programs. The county may finance shellfish protection programs through county tax revenues, inspection fees and other fees for provided services, rates specified in the protection program, or federal, state, or private grants.

Summary: When a county establishes a shellfish protection district, it must consult with the Departments of Health, Ecology, Agriculture, or the Conservation Commission about the elements of the shellfish protection program.

The shellfish protection program must address the causes or suspected causes of pollution affecting the water quality. The county must begin implementation within 60 days after the program is established. The county must provide a copy of the shellfish protection program to the Departments of Health, Ecology and Agriculture and provide a report to DOH annually. An agency with regulatory authority over nonpoint pollution sources must cooperate with the county in its implementation of the program.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      48   0
House      93   2

Effective:   July 22, 2007