HB 2251-S2 - DIGEST
(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

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.

 
VETO MESSAGE ON 2SHB 2251

March 28, 2014

To the Honorable Speaker and Members,
The House of Representatives of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am returning herewith, without my approval as to Section 5, Second Substitute House Bill No. 2251 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to fish barrier removals."


Section 5 of Second Substitute House Bill 2251 directs the Department of Fish and Wildlife to accomplish significant portions of the bill within existing funds. The Department will likely incur additional costs in future biennium as a result of this bill that it cannot absorb without undue hardship on existing programs. For this reason I am vetoing Section 5.

For these reasons I have vetoed Section 5 of Second Substitute House Bill No. 2251.

With the exception of Section 5, Second Substitute House Bill No. 2251 is approved.

Respectfully submitted,
Jay Inslee
Governor