SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5338

BYSenators Tanner, Zimmerman, Bauer and DeJarnatt

Financing maintenance and operation of a fish collection facility at the sediment retention structure site.

Senate Committee on Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 3, 1987; February 24, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5338 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Owen, Chairman; DeJarnatt, Vice Chairman; Conner, Craswell, Patterson, Stratton.

Senate Staff:Vic Moon (786-7469)

                  February 24, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, FEBRUARY 24, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Army Corps of Engineers began construction of a sediment retention structure on the Toutle River in December, 1986.  This structure will block passage of migrating steelhead, cutthroat trout and salmon upstream from the structure.  The Army Corps of Engineers is also planning to build a fish collection facility from April, 1987 to October, 1987.  Upon completion of this facility, manpower and funds will be needed for the state for operation and maintenance.  The purpose of the single retention structure is to control potential floods on the Toutle River.

A written agreement was entered into by the Department of the Army and the State of Washington to coordinate both facilities.  This agreement provided for cost sharing between the Army and the state whereby the Army would construct a fish collection facility at a cost of $1.3 million as mitigation for the structure and the state would provide operation and maintenance on all mitigation projects including this fish collection facility.

SUMMARY:

The Legislature recognizes the need to mitigate the effects of sedimentary buildup and the resultant damage to fish population in the Toutle River.  The state has entered into a contractual agreement with the United States Army Corps of Engineers designed to minimize fish habitat disruption created by the sediment retention structure on the Toutle River and the Corps of Engineers has agreed to construct a fish collection facility conditional upon the state assuming maintenance and operation costs for that facility.

The sum of $300,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Game for the biennium ending June 30, 1989 to maintain and operate the fish collection facility on the Toutle River or otherwise fulfill the state's obligation under section 1 of this act.

A severability clause is included.

Appropriation:    $300,000 from the state general fund.

Fiscal Note:      requested

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The appropriation is reduced to $150,000 and is appropriated to the Department of Fisheries.

Senate Committee - Testified: Rick Poelker, Department of Game; Bruce Crawford, Department of Game; Sarah Deatherage, Cowlitz County