HB 2251-S - DIGEST
(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 2ND SUB)

Modifies provisions relating to fish barrier removals.

Authorizes the department of fish and wildlife to: (1) Coordinate with the recreation and conservation office in the administration of state grant programs specifically designed to assist state agencies, private landowners, tribes, organizations, and volunteer groups in identifying and removing impediments to salmonid fish passage; and

(2) Contract with cities and counties to assist in the identification and removal of impediments to fish passage.

Requires the department of fish and wildlife to: (1) Develop a barrier inventory training program that qualifies participants to perform barrier inventories and develop data that enhance the centralized database;

(2) Maintain a fish passage barrier removal board; and

(3) Initiate contact with the United States army corps of engineers, the national oceanic and atmospheric administration, and, if necessary, the United States fish and wildlife service to explore the feasibility of bundling multiple transportation-related fish barrier removal projects under any available nationwide permits for the purpose of achieving streamlined federal permitting with a reduced processing time.