H-870                _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1706

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Representatives Sayan, R. King, Basich, Zellinsky, Patrick, Anderson and Crane

Read first time 2/3/89 and referred to Committees on Fisheries & Wildlife/Appropriations (2/24/89).

AN ACT Relating to improving recreational salmon fisheries in the state of Washington; creating a new section; and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     (1) The legislature finds and declares the following:

          (a) Recreational salmon fisheries are important to the quality of life of the citizens of the state of Washington;

          (b) Recreational salmon fisheries are important to the economy of the state; especially to local community economies;

          (c) Enhancement of recreational salmon fishing can stimulate local economies experiencing economic problems;

          (d) Washington has the potential to offer unequaled recreational salmon fishing opportunities because of the variety of ocean, protected marine, and freshwater areas;

          (e) Ocean and Hood Canal recreational salmon fishery catches have experienced dramatic declines in recent years and present great opportunities for improvement.

          (2) The sum of four hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, from the general fund to the department of fisheries for the purposes of implementing phase two of the department's recreational fishery enhancement budget request.