HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESB 6647

As Amended by the House

BYSenators Metcalf, Rasmussen, Conner, Barr, Owen, Nelson, Zimmerman, von Reichbauer, Vognild, Anderson, DeJarnatt, McMullen, Craswell, Kreidler and Bauer

Requiring a plan to increase salmon production one hundred percent by the year 2000.

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, Hargrove, Haugen, Meyers, Sayan, Schmidt, Spanel and S. Wilson.

House Staff:Bill Koss (786-7129)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 5, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The 1985 Legislature directed the Department of Fisheries to develop a detailed salmon enhancement plan.  The plan required regional policy statements.  Subsequently proposed management projects were to be measured against criteria and priorities set out in the plan.  The plan has been prepared and is known as the Watershed Planning Report.  It identifies four priorities: (1) rebuild chronically depressed stocks that limit the ocean and inside fisheries, (2) address treaty and nontreaty allocation imbalances that limit certain fisheries, (3) redevelop depleted stocks to harvestable levels, and (4) increase traditional fisheries affected by agreements negotiated to benefit the entire industry.

The Watershed Plans serve two functions; to identify goals within Fisheries' management, and to serve notice to other managers using the watershed of the goals of all fishery interests.  The increases in production depend on a number of circumstances. Adequate water in the streams at the critical times of the year is essential.  Quality of the water, in terms of temperature, oxygen content, sedimentation, and pollution must meet specific standards.  For hatcheries, the water must also be free of parasites and disease.  Hatcheries must also be placed in locations that complement rather than compete with natural production.  Adequate food for the maturing fish is vital and funding for any hatchery must be available, both for construction and operation.

In an average year, the commercial and sport salmon catch in state waters averages approximately 6 million fish, ranging from 4.4 to 11 million.  A 1986 study placed the value of commercially- caught salmon in Washington waters at $40 million to the harvester and $80 million as the value of the product at the wholesale level.  In addition, the recreational salmon fishery generates millions of dollars in local economic impact.

SUMMARY:

The Legislature establishes an objective of doubling the 1987 salmon catch by the year 2000.  The Department of Fisheries must report to the Legislature in two reports on the methods and costs associated with achieving this goal.  The first report, due March 15, 1990, will cover the Columbia River and its tributaries. The second report, due January 1, 1992, will cover Puget Sound and the Washington coast.

Sixteen specific factors must be addressed in the reports.  These include coordination with federal, tribal, and private parties; evaluating new technologies and low cost technology; fully using all available hatchery resources; and coordinating with the state centennial activities.  Funding mechanisms shall be identified in a report prepared by Fisheries and the Department of Revenue.  Fisheries and the Department of Trade and Economic Development must assess the impact a 100 percent increase on salmon catch will have on the state.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Senator Metcalf, Prime Sponsor; John Kelly, King County Outdoor Sports Council; Toimi Maki, Grays Harbor Gillnetters; Ray Nelson, representing commercial fishermen and consumers; Steve Arbaugh, Puget Sound Gillnetters; Wilbur Barker and Greg Mueller, Pacific Trollers; and Kahler Martinson, Washington Department of Fisheries.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Fisheries needs new blood to bring in new ideas for increasing salmon runs.  California has made great strides in this area with low cost projects.  The benefits to the Washington's economy would greatly exceed the cost of the investments.  The timetable in the bill coincides with the plans of the Northwest Power Planning Council, which plans to double the Columbia River Basin salmon runs by the year 2000.  Fisheries believes the timeframe for preparing the plan is logical and reasonable.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.