S-4839.1  _______________________________________________

 

                SECOND SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6593

          _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington      55th Legislature     1998 Regular Session

 

By Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Swecker, Rasmussen and Morton)

 

Read first time 02/10/98.

Funding a study of locations for finfish net-pen aquaculture.


    AN ACT Relating to the department of natural resources; and adding new sections to chapter 79.90 RCW.

 

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

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 79.90 RCW to read as follows:

    The legislature recognizes the importance of aquaculture, including finfish net-pen aquaculture, to the state of Washington.  When practiced in an environmentally safe manner, finfish net-pen aquaculture provides long-term economic benefits, fosters water-dependent uses of state waters, and encompasses activities that should be promoted by the state.  Recognizing the desirability of aquaculture, the legislature finds that there is a need to identify locations for finfish net-pen aquaculture that will reduce land-use conflicts and adverse environmental impacts.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 79.90 RCW to read as follows:

    The department of natural resources shall study establishment of finfish net-pen aquaculture zones within the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and areas in the Pacific Ocean, selecting locations which (1) reduce land-use conflicts, (2) minimize competition with other water-dependent uses, (3) limit adverse environmental impacts, and (4) provide optimal marine and weather conditions for finfish net pens.

 


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