HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1607

BYRepresentatives Bumgarner, Cole, Sutherland, Silver, Day, Taylor, Dellwo, D. Sommers, Padden and Moyer

Directing study and development of wildlife habitat and watershed management for the Spokane river drainage.

House Committe on Natural Resources

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Sutherland, Chair; Beck, Bumgarner, Cole, Dorn, Fuhrman, Haugen, Meyers, Schmidt, C. Smith and Spanel.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (5)

      Signed by Representatives K. Wilson, Vice Chair; Basich, Belcher, Butterfield and Sayan.

House Staff:Pamela Madson (786-7310)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES FEBRUARY 4, 1988

BACKGROUND:

There exists a continuing need to improve the quality of the state's streams and rivers, and to develop increased wildlife and game fish habitat.  The interconnected issues involved in dealing with water quality and habitat enhancement may best be addressed through a process that encompasses an entire watershed.  The Puget Sound Water Quality Authority, the Department of Ecology, local governments, and private citizens are currently working to develop watershed plans for designated watersheds in the Puget Sound area.

In Eastern Washington, government agencies and private citizen groups are addressing a variety of issues concerning the Spokane River Drainage System.  The Department of Ecology and other interested and affected groups are working to solve a phosphorus overload problem.  The Department of Wildlife, in cooperation with the Federal Soil Conservation Service and local Conservation Districts, is assisting farmers who are removing highly erodible land from crop production in planting ground cover that will enhance wildlife habitat.  Reducing soil erosion also improves water quality.  There is a potential for increased game fish populations in various reaches of the Spokane River.

One method of expanding and coordinating the efforts currently begun in the Spokane River Drainage System is to initiate the development of a watershed plan for the Drainage System.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Ecology is directed to conduct a study of the Spokane River Drainage System for the purpose of developing a watershed management plan that will enhance the fish resource of the system, enhance water quality, and enhance wildlife habitat.

The Department shall include federal, state, and local governmental agencies, private landowners, nonprofit organizations and private industry in the study and any resulting management plan.  Private sector and local government contributions may be accepted by the Department of carry out the purposes of the act.

The Department shall report its progress to the House Natural Resources Committee by December 15, 1988.  The act will expire on June 30, 1991.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 28, 1988.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Representative Bumgarner; Carole Jolly, Department of Ecology; and Cal Groen, Department of Wildlife.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The Spokane River system is typical of all the conditions that can contribute to non-source point pollution.  There is an interest in the community to becoming involved in the process of developing a watershed plan and turning the Spokane watershed into a model stream.  It is a good idea to plan cooperatively for control of water pollution on a watershed basis, and the Spokane River watershed lends itself well to this method.  It is important to have local involvement in all phases of study and development because it is local communities that will implement a plan.  The Department of Ecology has an appropriate role to play in initiating this process and will look to the expertise of other interested state agencies including Fisheries and Wildlife in implementing the purposes of this act.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.