HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESSB 6190

BYSenate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Metcalf, McMullen, Anderson and Rasmussen)

Providing for the construction of a spawning channel for salmon on the Skagit river.

House Committe on Natural Resources

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (18)

      Signed by Representatives Sutherland, Chair; K. Wilson, Vice Chair; Amondson, Basich, Beck, Belcher, Bumgarner, Butterfield, Cole, Dorn, Fuhrman, Haugen, Meyers, Sayan, Schmidt, C. Smith, Spanel and S. Wilson.

House Staff:Bill Koss (786-7129)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES FEBRUARY 25, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The Skagit River produces every salmon species native to the Northwest.  However, several of the runs in the River suffer from chronic low returns.  These low returns limit the fisheries in the ocean, the Straits of Juan de Fuca, and in northern Puget Sound. In one out of every five years, the low number of coho returning to the Skagit limits the ocean fisheries.

In 1985, the Legislature directed the Department of Fisheries to prepare regional management plans for specific salmon runs and to determine priorities for management actions.  The ensuing Watershed Planning Enhancement Reports, prepared in June 1986 and January 1987, described the planned actions for the Skagit.  Three noted actions include:  (1) increase brood stock collection at the Skagit hatchery, (2) mitigate for habitat losses, and (3) developing over-wintering areas for coho.

Over-wintering ponds also serve as spawning channels for both coho and chum salmon.  The channels protect the fish from spring flooding that can sweep the young fish out to the Sound prematurely (coho spend one full year in fresh water prior to entering the salt water).

The Salmon Enhancement Advisory Council consists of six voting members plus four non-voting legislative members, one from each caucus of each house.  Of the citizen members, two represent tribal fishermen, two represent sports anglers, and two represent commercial non-Indian fishermen.  The Council is directed by law to be actively involved in the development of regional policy statements by the Department of Fisheries.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  The Department of Fisheries shall develop a plan for constructing and operating a salmon enhancement channel or pond on the lower Skagit River.  The Department will be assisted in determining the location and use of the channel or pond by the Salmon Enhancement Advisory Council.  The plan shall be submitted for review to the House Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee by August 1, 1988.  The Committees may make any recommendations to the Department within 60 days of the receipt of the plan.

Based on the plan developed and recommendations of the Committees, the Department will construct the salmon enhancement channel or pond and place it into operation by January 1, 1990.  The section of law providing for the channel or pond and the Salmon Enhancement Advisory Committee's role expires on January 1, 1990.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE:  The use of the $48,000 appropriation is broadened from a spawning channel to a salmon enhancement channel or pond.

Appropriation:    $48,000 is appropriated from the General Fund.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Steve Arbaugh, Puget Sound Gillnetters; and Kahler Martinson, Department of Fisheries.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The Skagit River needs some additional over-wintering and spawning areas.  For a relatively small cost, the River's fish production can substantially increase.  This action was recommended in the watershed plan for the River developed by Fisheries.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.