H-4102.2 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 2505
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State of Washington 55th Legislature 1998 Regular Session
By Representatives Regala, Buck, Doumit, Linville, Anderson, Cooper, Romero, Veloria, Dickerson, Constantine, Ogden, Kessler, Gardner, Wolfe, Costa and Conway
Read first time 01/14/98. Referred to Committee on Natural Resources.
AN ACT Relating to an independent science panel; and adding a new chapter to Title 41 RCW.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds credible scientific review and oversight is essential for any adaptive management program instituted for salmon recovery to be effective. The legislature recognizes that the best available science for salmon recovery is an evolving science, and requires an independent assessment from trained professionals. The legislature finds that by creating an independent science panel, funds for salmon recovery will be spent in a cost-effective manner and local innovations that prove to be successful can be shared throughout the state.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) An independent science panel is hereby created consisting of five scientists appointed by the governor. The governor shall appoint two of the initial independent science panel members for six-year terms, two of the initial independent science panel members for four-year terms, and the remaining member of the independent science panel for a two-year term. All subsequent appointments to the independent science panel shall be for a term of six years. The independent science panel members shall elect the chair of the panel among themselves every two years.
(2) Members of the independent science panel shall have recognized expertise in habitat requirements of salmonids, protection and restoration of salmonid populations, artificial propagation of salmonids, and requirements for healthy ecosystems on a watershed basis.
(3) Members of the independent science panel shall be compensated as provided in RCW 43.03.250 and reimbursed for travel expenses as pursuant to RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
(4) The governor's office shall provide all necessary administrative support to the independent science panel.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The independent science panel created under section 2 of this act shall have the following responsibilities:
(1) Provide scientific advice to natural resources-related state agencies for the development of a state-wide strategy to facilitate protection and restoration of wild salmonids and to restore healthy salmon, steelhead, and trout populations by improving their habitats, including key criteria that represents acceptable standards that must be met;
(2) Serve as an independent scientific peer review panel for the development and implementation of comprehensive salmon restoration plans, including the lower Columbia steelhead conservation initiative;
(3) Assessing cumulative impacts of land management practices within an evolutionary significant unit upon habitat of threatened or endangered aquatic species;
(4) Reporting to the governor and the legislature on adaptive management recommendations after reviewing the implementation of comprehensive salmon restoration plans; and
(5) Assisting the governor in the preparation of the annual state of the salmon report.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Sections 1 through 3 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 41 RCW.
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