HOUSE BILL REPORT

HJM 4032

BYRepresentatives R. King, Bowman and Basich

Requesting Congress to pass the Chehalis River Basin Fishery Resources Study and Restoration Act of 1989.

House Committe on Fisheries & Wildlife

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives R. King, Chair; Morris, Vice Chair; S. Wilson, Ranking Republican Member; Basich, Bowman, Brooks, Cole, Haugen, Smith, Spanel and Vekich.

House Staff:Robert Butts (786-7841)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES & WILDLIFE

FEBRUARY 2, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Chehalis River in southwest Washington has historically produced large numbers of anadromous and resident fish that have supported commercial, recreational, and tribal fisheries in Grays Harbor and along the Washington coast.

However, currently fish populations are significantly below historical levels.  The Department of Fisheries estimates that the basin's fish production is less than one-half of its potential.  In an effort to determine the reasons for the decline, fishery managers, local industry representatives, and others have conducted a multi-year study of fish survival in the river and the lower Grays Harbor estuary.  Results of the study are expected to be released in mid-1990, after which the parties will begin to plan remedial actions to enhance the fishery resources.

In an effort to assist these parties, congressional representatives have introduced federal legislation (H.R. 3787 - Chehalis River Basin Fishery Resources Study and Restoration Act) that would require the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in cooperation with state agencies and tribes, to conduct a study of the Chehalis River basin fishery and make recommendations for a restoration program.  The act authorizes the appropriation of $2,000,000 to conduct the study, which must be matched by a one-third contribution from non-federal sources (e.g. State of Washington, Chehalis Tribe, Quinault Tribe).  In-kind contributions are permitted under specified quidelines.

SUMMARY:

The importance of the fishery resource in the Chehalis River is recognized, and recent declines in fish populations are noted.  The need to comprehensively review existing information on the river's fishery is identified, as is the need to develop short and long-term goals to improve the fish runs in the basin.

The memorial requests that Congress adopt, and the President sign, the Chehalis River Basin Fishery Resources Study and Restoration Act of 1989.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Toimi Maki, Grays Harbor Gillnetters;  Tom Pentt, Grays Harbor Fisheries Enhancement Task Force; and Loren Stern, Department of Fisheries.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The study and financial assistance provided in this federal legislation will be helpful in state and local efforts to enhance the fishery potential of the Chehalis basin.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.