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                                          ENGROSSED SENATE BILL NO. 6797

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State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1990 Regular Session

 

By Senators Benitz, Rasmussen, Conner, Metcalf, Patterson, Thorsness, Amondson and McMullen

 

 

Read first time 1/25/90 and referred to Committee on  Environment & Natural Resources.

 

 


AN ACT Relating to creating a fisheries 2000 council; adding a new section to chapter 75.08 RCW; creating a new section; making an appropriation; and providing an expiration date.

 

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

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 75.08 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) There is created the fisheries 2000 council.  The purpose of the council shall be to study the potential of enhancement of anadromous and resident fish populations in Washington state through the year 2010 and beyond.  The committee shall develop specific recommendations on:

          (a) Habitat preservation and enhancement and limitations on development projects which impact fish habitat;

          (b) Habitat rehabilitation;

          (c) Improved management of wild stocks;

          (d) Improved management of hatchery stocks;

          (e) Enhancement and rehabilitation of wild and artificial runs;

          (f) Fisheries research;

          (g) Adequate funding for fisheries programs; and

          (h) Fostering better cooperation among user groups.

          (2) There shall be no consideration of allocation issues between:

          (a) Indian and non-Indian fishers;

          (b) Commercial and sports fishers;

          (c) Commercial fishing gear groups.

          (3) The governor shall select organizations that shall appoint the following representatives to the fisheries 2000 council:

          (a) Five representatives from commercial fishing interests, including one purse seiner, one gillnetter, one troller, one Columbia river fisher, and one processor;

          (b) Five representatives from five sports groups, at least two of which shall be state-wide in representation;

          (c) Five representatives from tourist related industries, including one charter boat fisherman, one baitshop owner, one recreational boat dealer, one marina owner, and one motel/restaurant owner;

          (d) Five representatives from Indian tribes including one Indian fisheries commission member and four tribal representatives;

          (e) Five representatives from the environmental community;

          (f) Five representatives from natural resource-based industries including:

          (i) Agriculture/irrigation;

          (ii) Timber;

          (iii) Utilities; and

          (iv) Developers/landowners;

          (g) Representatives from the northwest power planning council;

          (h) Four legislators, one from each caucus of the senate and house of representatives, appointed by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives, respectively;

          (i) Ex officio members including:

          (i) Washington cities and counties;

          (ii) Washington public ports association;

          (iii) Washington department of fisheries;

          (iv) Washington department of wildlife;

          (v) Washington department of ecology;

          (vi) Washington department of natural resources;

          (vii) Inter agency committee for outdoor recreation;

          (viii) United States fish and wildlife service;

          (ix) National marine fisheries service;

          (x) Puget Sound water quality authority;

          (xi) Washington department of agriculture;

          (xii) Washington department of transportation; and

          (xiii) Soil and conservation districts.

          (4) The council shall appoint and may compensate a technical advisory committee and necessary staff.  Members of the advisory committee may include:

          (a) Biologists from, but not limited to agencies of government, Indian tribes, higher education, and industry;

          (b) Resource managers;

          (c) Researchers; and

          (d) Fisheries 2000 staff appointed under this subsection.

          (5) The council may use the University of Washington schools of fisheries, center for public policy, institute for marine studies, and the sea grant program to facilitate and coordinate the fisheries 2000 responsibilities described in this section.

          (6) The advisory committee shall issue a preliminary report to the senate environment and natural resources committee and the house of representatives fisheries and wildlife committee by January 1, 1991, and a final report with recommendations to the governor and legislature by January 1, 1992.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.     The sum of forty-nine 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 the fisheries 2000 council.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3.     The director of fisheries may accept private donations for the purposes of the fisheries 2000 council.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4.     Section 1 of this act shall expire January 1, 1992.