SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6190

BYSenators Metcalf, McMullen, Anderson and Rasmussen

Providing for the construction of a spawning channel for salmon on the Skagit river.

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 12, 1988; January 19, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6190 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Smith, Vice Chairman; Benitz, DeJarnatt, Kreidler, Patterson, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Vic Moon (786-7469)

                  January 19, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES, JANUARY 19, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Historically the Skagit River has been one of the most productive salmon rivers in the State of Washington.  The smaller return to the river in recent years has increased interest in developing rearing facilities on the lower portion of the river.  Both commercial and sports fisheries would be benefitted by increased runs of salmon on the Skagit River.  The Legislature appropriated funds for a spawning channel on the Skagit River in 1979, but the Department failed to construct the channel.  Spawning channels have had great success elsewhere, especially on the Fraser River in Canada, and with the need for more fish for all user groups a spawning channel on the Skagit River would be a benefit to fishing in the Puget Sound and coastal waters.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Fisheries shall develop a plan for constructing and operating a spawning channel for salmon on the lower Skagit River.  The Department will be assisted in determining the location and use of the channel by an advisory committee consisting of representatives from the gillnet, the purse seine, and reef net fisheries, sports fishermen, and the Indian tribes that would be entitled to share in the catch of salmon produced by the spawning channel.  The plan shall be submitted for review to the House Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee by August 1, 1988.  The Committees may make any recommendations to the Department within 60 days of the receipt of the plan.  Based on the plan developed and recommendations of the Committees, the Department will construct the spawning channel and place it into operation by June 1, 1989.  The section of law providing for the spawning channel and the advisory committee expires on June 30, 1989.  An appropriation of $48,000 is provided and an emergency clause is included.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The Department will construct the spawning channel and place it into operation by January 1, 1990.  The emergency clause is removed.

Appropriation:    $48,000 from the general fund

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Steve Arbaugh, Puget Sound Gillnetters; R. Kahler Martinson, Department of Fisheries; Ed Manary, Department of Fisheries