HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5379

BYSenators Owen, DeJarnatt, Conner and Rasmussen

Providing for the enhancement of Grays Harbor salmon production.

House Committe on Natural Resources

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (16)

      Signed by Representatives Sutherland, Chair; K. Wilson, Vice Chair; Amondson, Basich, Belcher, Bumgarner, Cole, Fuhrman, Hargrove, Haugen, R. King, Meyers, Sayan, Schmidt, Spanel and S. Wilson.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (1)

      Signed by Representative Beck.

House Staff:Bill Koss (786-7129)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES MARCH 27, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Grays Harbor watershed is Washington's second largest.  Grays Harbor salmon resources have been depressed for many years.  Attempts to enhance Grays Harbor salmon runs have been only partially successful.  The survival rate for Grays Harbor coho is only half the survival rate of other coastal streams.  The reasons for low salmon survival in the Harbor have not been thoroughly evaluated.  The two most probable causes for the low salmon survival are water pollution and predation.  The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Ecology plan to jointly study pollution this summer.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Fisheries shall conduct a comprehensive biological study to determine the field conditions causing low salmon survival in the Grays Harbor watershed.  The department shall contract with the University of Washington's College of Fisheries and/or with the Grays Harbor Community College to assist in the study.  Up to 50 percent of the appropriation may be used in these contracts.

A preliminary report is due by December, 1987.  A detailed analysis must be completed by December, 1988.  The department shall propose legislation to achieve meaningful enhancement of the salmon resources of Grays Harbor, including enhancement proposals for the upper Chehalis River and a hatchery on the Wynooche River.

Appropriation:    $400,000 is appropriated from the General Fund.

Fiscal Note:      Attached.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Senator Owen, Prime Sponsor; Curt Smitch, Department of Fisheries; Don Samuelson, Grays Harbor Fisheries Enhancement Task Force; Gene Deschamps, Chehalis Indian Tribe; Steve Arbaugh, Puget Sound Gillnetters Association; and Tomi Maki, Grays Harbor Gillnetters.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Other state watersheds produce four times the number of fish that is produced in the state's second largest watershed -- the Grays Harbor watershed.  If the production rate for salmon in the Grays Harbor watershed increased, it would permit a much larger increase in the ocean salmon catch.  The commercial and sport fishing public would benefit

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None presented.