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SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 4041
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AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
C 256 L 85
State of Washington 49th Legislature 1985 Regular Session
By Senate Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senator Owen)
Read first time 3/5/85.
AN ACT Relating to state oyster reserves; amending RCW 75.24.060; and adding a new section to chapter 75.24 RCW.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1. Section 75.24.060, chapter 12, Laws of 1955 as last amended by section 81, chapter 46, Laws of 1983 1st ex. sess. and RCW 75.24.060 are each amended to read as follows:
It is the policy of the state to improve state oyster reserves so that they are productive and yield a revenue sufficient for their maintenance. In fixing the price of oysters and other shellfish sold from the reserves, the director shall take into consideration this policy. It is also the policy of the state to maintain the oyster reserves to furnish shellfish to growers and processors and to stock public beaches.
Shellfish may be harvested from state oyster reserves for personal use as prescribed by rule of the director.
The department shall periodically inventory the state oyster reserves and assign the reserve lands into management categories:
(1) Native Olympia oyster broodstock reserves;
(2) Commercial shellfish harvesting zones;
(3) Commercial shellfish propagation zones designated for long-term leasing to private aquaculturists;
(4) Public recreational shellfish harvesting zones;
(5) Unproductive land.
The department shall manage each category of oyster reserve land to maximize the sustained yield production of shellfish consistent with the purpose for establishment of each management category.
The department shall develop an oyster reserve management plan, to include recommendations for leasing reserve lands, in coordination with the shellfish industry, by January 1, 1986. The report shall be presented to the house and senate committees on natural resources.
The director shall protect, reseed, improve the habitat of, and replant state oyster reserves and issue cultch permits.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 75.24 RCW to read as follows:
The legislature finds that current environmental and economic conditions warrant a renewal of the state's historical practice of actively cultivating and managing its oyster reserves in Puget Sound to produce the state's native oyster, the Olympia oyster. The department of fisheries shall reestablish dike cultivated production of Olympia oysters on such reserves on a trial basis as a tool for planning more comprehensive cultivation by the state.