BILL REQ. #:  H-1574.1 

READ FIRST TIME 2/28//07.   

     AN ACT Relating to creating a pilot project to study the effects of oxygenation in Hood Canal; creating new sections; making appropriations; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that Hood Canal is suffering from periodic episodes of low levels of dissolved oxygen that results in the death of many types of aquatic animals. Further, the legislature finds that during the last three years, Hood Canal has experienced a constant condition of anoxia that has killed indigenous bottom dwelling fish species. Therefore, in an effort to save these species from extinction, the legislature declares that a pilot project is necessary to test and evaluate whether the introduction of oxygen into the waters of Hood Canal will preserve and enhance aquatic life.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The department of fish and wildlife shall implement a pilot program to test the viability and efficiency of introducing oxygen to the waters of Hood Canal for the purpose of protecting aquatic life. The pilot project must take place in a small marine area where a large number of bottom dwelling fish species exist. The pilot project has the following goals:
     (a) To determine the feasibility and cost of designing and constructing a mechanical system to inject oxygen into Hood Canal, thereby reducing the impact of low levels of dissolved oxygen on aquatic life; and
     (b) To construct, operate, and evaluate a pilot facility to increase levels of dissolved oxygen near Sund Rock on Hood Canal.
     (2) In implementing the pilot project, the department of fish and wildlife shall undertake the following activities:
     (a) During the first year of the pilot project, the department of fish and wildlife shall determine the best location, depth, size, design, and cost of a device to inject oxygen into the waters; and
     (b) During the second year of the pilot project, the department of fish and wildlife shall construct and deploy a mechanical oxygen delivery device. The department of fish and wildlife shall also evaluate the impact of injected dissolved oxygen on aquatic life.
     (3) The department of fish and wildlife shall seek the involvement of other organizations, including state and federal agencies, tribes, and affected counties.
     (4) The department of fish and wildlife may contract with universities or consultants to perform appropriate modeling, data collection, and analysis. No more than fifteen percent of any funding provided to implement this section may be expended for administrative overhead or other deductions not directly associated with conducting the research required by this section.
     (5) Immediately following the evaluation of the pilot project, the department of fish and wildlife must report to the appropriate committees of the legislature on the pilot project results and include recommendations whether to proceed with a larger scale project to inject oxygen into Hood Canal.
     (6) This section expires January 1, 2010.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) The sum of one hundred thirty-five thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, from the general fund to the department of fish and wildlife for the purposes of this act.
     (2) The sum of six hundred forty-six thousand five hundred dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, from the general fund to the department of fish and wildlife for the purposes of this act.