H-2093.1

HOUSE BILL 2293

ByRepresentatives Wilcox, Chapman, Kretz, Dent, Barkis, and Barnard

AN ACT Relating to studying the effects of avian predation of salmon; adding a new section to chapter 77.12 RCW; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 77.12 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The department shall convene an avian salmon predation work group to: Identify all avian species that contribute to predation of juvenile salmon; determine whether such species are overpopulated, overconsuming, or both; and identify remedies and regulatory restrictions for harvest or abatement to these overpopulated species.

(2) The avian salmon predation work group consists of:

(a) Five members from federally recognized Indian tribes with treaty fishing rights in Washington waters, invited by the department as comanagers;

(b) One member each from the department of wildlife, the United States fish and wildlife service, the United States army corps of engineers, and the national marine fisheries service west coast region; and

(c) One member each representing recreational fishers, commercial fishers, and a salmon conservation organization.

(3) If a member has not been designated for a position set forth in subsection (2) of this section, the work group must still conduct business and report as required in subsection (4) of this section.

(4) The work group must report annually to the department and the legislature in accordance with RCW 43.01.036 by June 30th.

(5) This section expires July 1, 2034.

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