By HAL SPENCER
The Associated Press
04/02/98 2:13 AM Eastern
OLYMPIA (AP) -- Gov. Gary Locke has signed a package of bills intended to speed recovery of wild salmon runs in Washington as the state tries to anticipate and soften coming federal intervention.
The governor, backed by lawmakers and others who had a hand in the legislation, signed a package of seven salmon bills on Wednesday. The most crucial creates the Governor's Salmon Recovery Office and a framework for salmon-habitat restoration involving all levels of government and Indian tribes.
The Democrat also signed a measure changing the way the state manages ground and surface water, which Locke called "absolutely essential" to protecting salmon. Also approved was a bill requiring state regulation of dairy-farm manure runoff, which has been blamed for polluting rivers and creeks used by salmon.
Along with the package of legislation comes about $36 million for use by state agencies, counties, cities, and the tribes in carrying out salmon protection and restoration work.
Locke and lawmakers concede the new laws aren't enough to solve the state's developing salmon crisis, best evidenced by the federal government's continued listing of various salmon runs as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
But they "give us new focus and new tools to take the critical first steps toward preserving our quality of life as the federal government moves to protect troubled salmon and steelhead runs," Locke said.
Among the bills signed by Locke were:
--HB2496, creating the Governor's Salmon Recovery Office to lead the state salmon-recovery effort and aid local government efforts. It establishes a process, beginning at the local level, to prioritize habitat-restoration projects. It also creates a science panel to review salmon-recovery plans.
--HB2514, creating a framework for developing and funding local watershed-planning efforts that would determine how much water should be left in rivers and streams and how much is available for other uses. The planning would begin at the local level. Currently, the Department of Ecology has nearly exclusive control over water management in Washington, a system critics say is not working.
--SB6161, mandating approved dairy-waste management programs and regular inspections for the state's 800 dairies. The law requires every dairy farm in Washington to have an approved "dairy nutrient" management plan in place by July 1, 2002, and a certified plan a year later. Such plans would include methods to keep manure confined and out of rivers and streams, where it can harm aquatic life.
--HB2339, allowing developers and the Department of Transportation to set aside land for wetlands in strategic areas of importance to salmon and other wildlife in lieu of restoring or protecting many small wetlands scattered throughout state.
--HB2879, streamlining the permit process for small-scale, volunteer salmon-restoration projects, making it easier for citizens to change their land in ways that help salmon.
--SB6264, requiring the state Department of Fish and Wildlife to mark all hatchery chinook so fishermen can distinguish them from wild chinook, which are slated for listing as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
--SB6324, requiring the Department of Fish and Wildlife to create a program in which salmon eggs would be placed in streams as a method of reintroducing fish into areas where wild fish have disappeared.
Back to Watershed Management Index Page
Back to Whats New Index Page
Back to Chehalis River Council Index Page