SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6004

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 Senate Committee On:

Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation, February 23, 2009

Title: An act relating to the consolidation of certain salmon recovery activities and programs within the recreation and conservation office.

Brief Description: Consolidating certain salmon recovery activities and programs within the recreation and conservation office.

Sponsors: Senators Ranker, Oemig, Pridemore, Rockefeller and Kline; by request of Governor Gregoire.

Committee Activity: Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation: 2/18/09, 2/23/09 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, OCEAN & RECREATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6004 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Ranker, Vice Chair; Morton, Ranking Minority Member; Fraser, Hargrove, Hatfield, Stevens and Swecker.

Staff: Curt Gavigan (786-7437)

Background: The Governor's Salmon Recovery Office and Regional Recovery Planning. The Legislature established the Governor's Salmon Recovery Office (GSRO) in 1998 to develop a state strategy for salmon recovery and to coordinate and assist in the development, implementation, and revision of regional salmon recovery plans. These regional salmon recovery plans are developed by regional salmon recovery organizations, which may be recognized in statute or by the GSRO.

The GSRO must produce a biennial state of the salmon report. The report must include information including a summary of habitat projects, salmon restoration efforts, harvest and hatchery management activities affecting salmon recovery, and measures of progress for fish recovery.

In addition to its mandatory duties, the GSRO has permissive authority including the authority to act as a liaison to the federal government regarding salmon recovery issues and provide recommendations to the Legislature on salmon recovery incentives and funding needs.

Salmon Recovery Funding. Established by the Legislature in 1999, the Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRF Board) provides federal and state grant funds to protect and restore salmon habitat. Since 2000 the SRF Board has awarded over $350 million in grants for over 1,100 habitat projects. The Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) provides administrative support to the SRF Board.

Lead Entities are local, watershed-based organizations that function to solicit, develop, prioritize, and submit habitat protection and restoration projects for funding to the SRF Board. Lead Entity funding is provided by the state Legislature through the RCO, which contracts with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) to implement the Lead Entity program.

Forum on Monitoring Salmon Recovery and Watershed Health. The Forum on Monitoring Salmon Recovery and Watershed Health (forum) is an interagency group directed to coordinate actions related to monitoring salmon recovery and watershed health. The forum must also recommend a set of measures for use in the state of the salmon report that are easily understandable to the public. The RCO provides administrative support to the forum.

Watershed Planning. The Watershed Planning Act establishes a process through which local groups can develop and implement plans for managing and protecting local water resources and rights. The local groups authorized to develop watershed plans are organized by water resource inventory areas (WRIAs). A WRIA is, generally speaking, an area determined to be a distinct watershed. There are 62 WRIAs identified by the Department of Ecology (DOE). Each WRIA is identified by a number and may contain a local watershed planning group with an identified lead agency. Once constituted, a WRIA is eligible for grant funding from DOE. There are funding opportunities available for both planning and implementation.

Summary of Bill (Recommended Substitute): Several programs and functions relating to salmon recovery are consolidated within the RCO. The administration of the GSRO is transferred to the RCO, and the GSRO is made permanent. Additionally, the RCO must:

administer funding to support the functions of Lead Entities;
by December 1, 2009, consult with specified entities to assess additional coordination and incentive opportunities between participants in salmon recovery and watershed planning within a watershed; and
by December 1, 2009, along with the Office of Regulatory Assistance and specified entities, recommend a pilot project outside of Puget Sound that effectively integrates salmon recovery and watershed planning missions and objectives.

The RCO must produce a biennial consolidated report on salmon recovery and watershed health, to include the statewide status of salmon recovery and watershed health, a summary of projects funded by the SRF Board, and progress for monitoring salmon recovery and watershed health. The RCO must also include a status report on watershed planning efforts. This consolidated report replaces the current biennial state of the salmon report.

In addition to its current duties, the forum must adopt high-level indicators for salmon recovery and watershed health by December 1, 2009. By July 1, 2010, the forum must adopt the protocols for monitoring these indicators to ensure reporting consistency and agency compliance. The forum expires June 30, 2011.

By December 1, 2009, DOE must provide recommendations to the Legislature on grant programs relating to water quality and quantity that could be more effectively and efficiently funded through the SRF Board.

A 1998 statute creating an interagency work group to evaluate mitigation alternatives is repealed.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY NATURAL RESOURCES, OCEAN & RECREATION COMMITTEE (Recommended Substitute): The proposed substitute:

retains the GSRO in statute while transferring its administration to the RCO;

amends references to the GSRO and RCO; and

reorganizes language, makes technical changes, and corrects internal references.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: This bill consolidates several salmon recovery related functions and reporting requirements in the RCO, which already houses several salmon recovery related programs and activities. Additionally, it contains provision requiring recommendations on how the state can better coordinate salmon recovery and watershed planning efforts. The consolidation will help achieve cost savings and provide greater efficiency, while also maintaining the state's service to local lead entities and salmon recovery planning efforts.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Sara LaBorde, DFW; Kaleen Cottingham, Recreation and Conservation Office; Bob Nichols, Governor's Executive Policy Office.