SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6153

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

    Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation, January 31, 2000

Title:  An act relating to the Reiter pond hatchery.

Brief Description:  Providing funds for the Reiter pond hatchery.

Sponsors:  Senators Stevens, Swecker, Long and Oke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation:  1/27/2000, 1/31/2000 [DPS-WM].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & RECREATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6153 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

  Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; T. Sheldon, Vice Chair; Hargrove, Morton, Oke, Rossi, Snyder, Spanel and Stevens.

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786-7413)

Background:  The Reiter Pond Hatchery produces primarily steelhead trout and is located on the Skykomish River in Snohomish County.  The hatchery has been operated by the Department of Fish and Wildlife for over 20 years.

Recent funding shortfalls and conflicts with the wild salmonid policy have resulted in the proposed closure of the facility.  The facility has been kept open for the last two years with private donations and funds from the Snohomish County PUD.

If the hatchery were closed, a significant reduction in fishing opportunity for Puget Sound steelhead would result, as well as a decrease in other hatchery trout production.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  A one-time appropriation of $50,000 is made from the wildlife account, $50,000 from the general fund, coupled with $15,000 from nonstate matching funds to operate the Reiter Pond Hatchery until June 30, 2001.  The contribution from nonstate sources must be made by June 30, 2000 or the appropriations are null and void.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The $90,000 wildlife fund appropriation is reduced to $50,000 and a $50,000 general fund appropriation is added.  The requirement for $15,000 matching nonstate funds is added, and the matching funds must be secured by June 30, 2000.

Appropriation:  $50,000 from the state wildlife account.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Reiter Pond provides important recreational fishing benefits and should continue in operation.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Senator Val Stevens, Representative Hans Dunshee; Gary Bee, Larry Johnson, Sky Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited; George Nowadnick, Snohomish Sportsmen Association; Mike Harding, Everett Salmon and Steelhead Club/Snohomish Sportsmen Association; Lee Norten, Northshore Chapter Trout Unlimited; Al Woodbridge, Western Fish and Wildlife Federation; Frank Urabeck, NMTA; Brian Edie, Department of Fish and Wildlife.