AN ACT Relating to fisheries enhancement; adding a new chapter to Title 75 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 75.08 RCW; and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that it is in the best interest of the salmon resource of the state to encourage the development of regional fisheries enhancement groups. The accomplishments of one existing group, the Grays Harbor fisheries enhancement task force, have been widely recognized as being exemplary. The legislature recognizes the potential benefits to the state that would occur if each region of the state had a similar group of dedicated citizens working to enhance the salmon resource.

The legislature authorizes the formation of regional fisheries enhancement groups. These groups shall be eligible for state financial support and shall be actively supported by the department of fisheries. The regional groups shall be operated on a strictly nonprofit basis, and shall seek to maximize the efforts of volunteer and private donations to improve the salmon resource for all citizens of the state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. Any interested person may become a member of a regional fisheries enhancement group. To obtain funding from the regional fisheries enhancement group account, the membership of each group shall select its board members and chair by a democratic process. It is desirable for the group to have representation from all categories of fishermen that have interest in salmon within the region, as well as the general public.

The director shall appoint a department employee to serve as a liaison between the department and the group. The department liaison shall actively participate in the activities of the group and facilitate its operation in any way possible.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. Eight regional fisheries enhancement groups are authorized:

(1) Columbia river, and its tributaries, above Bonneville dam;

(2) Columbia river, and its tributaries, below Bonneville dam;

(3) Grays Harbor;

(4) Willapa Bay;

(5) North Coast and the Straits of Juan de Fuca;

(6) Puget Sound, and adjacent rivers and lakes, north of Everett;

(7) Central Puget Sound between Everett and Tacoma; and

(8) South Puget Sound, and adjacent rivers and lakes, south of Tacoma.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Regional fisheries enhancement groups, consistent with the long-term regional policy statements developed under RCW 75.50.020, shall seek to:

(1) Enhance the salmon resource of the state;

(2) Maximize volunteer efforts and private donations to improve the salmon resource for all citizens;

(3) Assist the department in achieving the goal to double the state-wide salmon catch by the year 2000 under chapter 214, Laws of 1988; and

(4) Develop projects designed to supplement the fishery enhancement capability of the department of fisheries.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The director shall cooperate fully with the regional fisheries enhancement groups authorized by this chapter. The director shall supply salmon eggs, technical information, surplus equipment, professional consultation, and any other assistance that can be provided to the group.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The chair of each regional fisheries enhancement group shall coordinate with the department to assure that the department and the group are working in harmony toward mutually agreeable goals.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. (1) The legislature finds that the wise management and economic health of the state's recreational and commercial fishing industries are of paramount importance to the people of the state and to the economy of the state as a whole. The legislature finds that it is in the best social, economic, and cultural interest of the state to provide, maintain, and enhance recreational fishing opportunities in the state and offshore waters while maintaining and encouraging a healthy commercial fishing industry.

(2) Funding for regional fisheries enhancement groups shall be from a variety of funding sources.

(a) Start up grant - Each group is authorized to apply for a one time grant of eight thousand dollars per group. The grant will be administered by the director and shall be utilized for initial organizational and planning expenses.

(b) State loan - Each group may apply for state-funded enhancement loans. Loan applications shall be submitted to the salmon advisory council for initial recommendations. The director shall further review loan applications and then submit the applications to the legislature for approval. Payback of said loans shall be structured to coincide with probable income generated from the group's cost recovery program. Funds for enhancement loans shall be appropriated from the regional fisheries enhancement group account.

(d) Operational grants - A surcharge of one dollar shall be collected annually on every recreational salmon license sold in the state. The revenues derived from this surcharge shall be placed in the regional fisheries enhancement group account hereby created in the state treasury. A surcharge of fifty dollars shall be collected annually on every commercial salmon fishing license and charter boat license sold in the state. The revenue from this surcharge shall be placed in the regional fisheries enhancement group account.

The director shall administer the regional fisheries enhancement group account. Operational grants are to be made to regional groups of up to ninety percent of the project costs to match direct and in-kind contributions secured by the regional group. The director may utilize up to ten percent of the account for department expenses.

(e) Private contributions - The groups are encouraged to conduct periodic fundraising activities.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. A new section is added to chapter 75.08 RCW to read as follows:

The director shall report annually to the senate environment and natural resources committee and the house fisheries and wildlife committee or their successor committees on the catch by commercial and sport fishers of the fishery resource resulting from enhancement efforts both by the department and volunteer cooperative projects. The first report shall be submitted by January 1, 1990.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. The sum of sixty-four thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the department of fisheries for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, to carry out the purposes of start up grants to regional fisheries enhancement groups.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. Sections 1 through 7 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 75 RCW.