S-2198               _______________________________________________

                                         SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 5845

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Bailey, Metcalf, DeJarnatt, Owen, Thorsness, Smitherman, Bauer and McMullen)

Read first time 2/28/89.

AN ACT Relating to anadromous and resident game fish production; adding a new section to chapter 77.12 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature finds that the anadromous and resident game fish resource of the state can be greatly increased to benefit recreational fishermen and the economy of the state.  Investments in the increase of anadromous and resident game fish  stocks will provide benefits many times the cost of the program and will act as a catalyst for many additional benefits in the tourism and associated industries, while enhancing the livability of the state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 77.12 RCW to read as follows:

          The legislature hereby directs the department of wildlife to determine the feasibility and cost of doubling the state-wide game fish production by the year 2000.  The department shall seek to equalize the effort and investment expended on anadromous and resident game fish programs.  The department of wildlife shall provide the legislature with a specific plan for legislative approval that will outline the feasibility of increasing game fish production by one hundred percent over current levels by the year 2000.  The plan shall contain specific provisions to increase both hatchery and naturally spawning game fish to a level that will support the production goal established in this section consistent with wildlife commission policies.  Steelhead trout, searun cutthroat trout, resident trout, and warmwater fish producing areas of the state shall be included in the plan.  The department of wildlife shall provide the plan to the house of representatives and senate ways and means, environment and natural resources, environmental affairs, fisheries and wildlife, and natural resources committees by December 31, 1989.

          The plan shall include the following critical elements:

          (1)  Methods of determining current catch and production, and catch and production in the year 2000;

          (2) Methods  of involving fishing groups, including Indian tribes, in a cooperative manner;

          (3)  Methods for using low capital cost projects to produce game fish  as inexpensively as possible;

          (4)  Methods for renovating and modernizing all existing hatcheries and rearing ponds to maximize production capability;

          (5)  Methods for increasing the productivity of natural spawning game fish;

          (6)  Application of new technology to increase hatchery and natural productivity;

          (7)  Analysis of the potential for private contractors to produce game fish for public fisheries;

          (8)  Methods to optimize public volunteer efforts and cooperative projects for maximum efficiency;

          (9)  Methods for development of trophy game fish fisheries;

          (10)  Elements of coordination with the Pacific Northwest Power Council programs to ensure maximum Columbia river benefits;

          (11)  The role that should be played by private consulting companies in developing and implementing the plan;

          (12)  Coordination with federal fish and wildlife agencies, Indian tribes, and department of fisheries fish production programs;

          (13)  Future needs for game fish predator control measures;

          (14) Development of disease control measures;

          (15) Methods for obtaining access to waters currently not available to anglers; and

          (16) Development of research programs to support game fish management and enhancement programs.

          The department of wildlife, in cooperation with the department of revenue, shall assess various funding mechanisms and make recommendations to the legislature in the plan.  The department of wildlife, in cooperation with the department of trade and economic development, shall prepare an analysis of the economic benefits to the state that will occur when the game fish production is increased by one hundred percent in the year 2000.