SENATE BILL REPORT

SJM 8009

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Requesting Congress to provide the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries with sufficient resources to expedite its endangered species act and national environmental policy act review of Puget Sound hatchery and genetic management plans and that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries prioritize and conduct immediate review and approval of Puget Sound hatchery and genetic management plans.

Brief Summary of Joint Memorial

Requests that the federal government provide the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries sufficient resources to expedite review and approval of Puget Sound Hatchery Genetic Management Plans.

Background: Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) in General. DFW protects and manages the state's fish and wildlife resources. DFW operates approximately 85 hatchery facilities throughout the state, with about 75 percent of facilities raising salmon or steelhead and 25 percent rearing trout and other game fish.

Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans (HGMPs). HGMPs are technical documents that describe the composition and operation of each hatchery program. The primary goal of an HGMP is to describe biologically based artificial propagation management strategies that ensure the conservation and recovery of Endangered Species Act- (ESA-) listed salmon and steelhead populations.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries use the information provided by HGMPs to evaluate impacts on ESA-listed salmon and steelhead species. Completed HGMPs may also be used for regional fish production and management planning by federal, state, and tribal resource managers.

Summary of Joint Memorial: The Joint Memorial requests that the federal government provide NOAA Fisheries sufficient resources to expedite review of Puget Sound HGMPs and that NOAA Fisheries prioritize and conduct immediate review and approval of Puget Sound HGMPs.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The salmon harvest is important to the state's economy, including recreational, commercial, and tribal fishers. This asks the federal government to find a way to get permitting work done and support state hatcheries.