Brief Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill

Creates a pilot program, to be administered by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, regarding recreational salmon and steelhead fishing on the Columbia River.
Adds an additional payment of $7.50 to all recreational fishing licenses used for salmon and steelhead fishing in the Columbia River or its tributaries.
Creates a new non-appropriated account.
Creates a citizen advisory committee of between six and ten members who receive travel expense reimbursement.

Background:

Role of the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) serves as manager of the state's fish and wildlife resources. Among other duties, the WDFW must classify wildlife and establish the basic rules and regulations governing the time, place, manner, and methods used to harvest or enjoy fish and wildlife.

Fishing Licenses.

All individuals 15 years old and older are required to purchase a personal use fishing license prior to recreational fishing for or possessing fish. There are a number of personal use fishing licenses available, including a freshwater license, saltwater license, and combination license.

Stamp, Permit, and Surcharge Programs.

In various instances, the Legislature has provided a dedicated funding source for specific fish and wildlife management activities by requiring stamps, permits, or surcharges in addition to a hunting or fishing license. For example, generally a hunter must purchase a small game license as well as a migratory bird validation to hunt for migratory birds. Revenues from the migratory bird validation are then used for various purposes including migratory bird protection and habitat improvement.

Summary of Bill:

A pilot program is created, to be administered by the WDFW, regarding recreational salmon and steelhead fishing on the Columbia River. The goal of the pilot project is to continue and, if possible, expand selective recreational fishing opportunities on the Columbia River and its tributaries. The improvement of fishing opportunities on the Columbia River must be accomplished by supplementing resources available to the WDFW for scientific monitoring, data collection, permitting, enforcement, and other activities necessary to accomplish the pilot project's goals.

The non-appropriated Columbia River Recreational Salmon and Steelhead Pilot Stamp Program Account (Account) is created as a source of funding for the WDFW to administer the pilot project. The Account is primarily funded through a payment made by Columbia River anglers that is in addition to the standard fishing license fee. This additional payment must be $7.50. The WDFW is directed to determine if the payment can be more efficiently collected as an endorsement or a stamp to the underlying fishing license.

The additional payment must be made by any person over the age of 15 that is participating in a recreational salmon or steelhead fishery on the Columbia River or one of its tributaries. The affected fisheries are those located on the Columbia River from the Chief Joseph Dam to a line in the river drawn from Washington's Rocky Point to Oregon's Tongue Point and on one of the Columbia River's tributaries identified by the WDFW.

The WDFW must consult with an advisory board comprised of recreational salmon and steelhead anglers in regards to the administration of the pilot project. The WDFW must name between six and ten people to the advisory board, and of whom will be provided travel expense reimbursement. In naming members, the WDFW must give consideration to nominees from recognized recreational fishing organizations located near the Columbia River and seek to create equitable geographic representation. The Director of the WDFW must seek to reach consensus with the advisory board on all expenditures from the Account and provide advisory board members with written explanations of each expenditure from the Account that is divergent from the advisory board's recommendations.

The WDFW and the advisory board it names must report to the Legislature by December 1, 2014. This report must review the pilot program and make recommendations as to its continuance. Without further legislative action, the pilot program expires on June 30, 2016.