H-3605              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 2580

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State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1990 Regular Session

By Representatives Bowman and Brumsickle

Read first time 1/15/90 and referred to Committee on Fisheries & Wildlife.

AN ACT Relating to fishing at the mouth of the Cowlitz river; adding new sections to chapter 75.12 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 77.16 RCW; creating a new section; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     It is the intent of the legislature to increase fish escapement and fishing opportunities on the Cowlitz river and its tributaries by reducing the harvest of fish on the Columbia river near the mouth of the Cowlitz river.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 75.12 RCW to read as follows;

          It is unlawful to fish on, or take food fish from, the stretch of the Columbia river generally located one-half mile upstream and one-half mile downstream of the mouth of the Cowlitz river from September 30 to October 31.  The director, in conjunction with the director of wildlife, shall adopt rules to define precise geographic boundaries.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 77.16 RCW to read as follows:

          It is unlawful to fish on, or take game fish from, the stretch of the Columbia river generally located one-half mile upstream and one-half mile downstream of the mouth of the Cowlitz river from September 30 to October 31.  The director, in conjunction with the director of fisheries, shall adopt rules to define precise geographic boundaries.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.  A new section is added to chapter 75.12 RCW to read as follows:

          By December 1, 1994, the department of fisheries, in conjunction with the department of wildlife, shall submit a report to the appropriate senate and house of representatives legislative standing committees on the effects of the fishing closures in sections 2 and 3 of this act on fishing opportunities on, and fish populations of, the Cowlitz river and its tributaries.  The departments also shall make recommendations on whether the fishing closures should be continued after December 31, 1995.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.     This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6.     This act shall expire on December 31, 1995.