Contents -
State Agencies' Action Plan - Summary
1999-2001 Biennium
May 2000
INTRODUCTION
There first was a Statewide Strategy to Recover Salmon
In September 1999, the Joint Natural Resources Cabinet released a summary of the Statewide Strategy to Recover Salmon, "Extinction is Not An Option". A separate volume with more detailed information was released in November 1999. The Strategy is intended to be a long-term guide for what we must achieve if we are to recover salmon. It articulates the mission, goals, and objectives for salmon recovery.
An Action Plan follows the Salmon Strategy
The 1999-2001 Action Plan identifies specific additional salmon recovery activities that state agencies are undertaking this biennium. It should be noted that the Action Plan does not intend to include all state agency salmon-related activities. Its focus is new actions or modifications to existing activities that provide additional protection for salmon. For example, it does not include the Department of Fish and Wildlife�s base activities related to fish harvest and hatchery management. Rather, it includes changes to those activities which will provide additional salmon protection.
The Action Plan represents early actions in what will be a long-term implementation plan. State agencies� actions this biennium are collectively targeted to build local and state capacity for salmon recovery efforts, as well as for on-the-ground initiatives.
Many of the actions will directly benefit regional and local recovery efforts. They also provide the foundation to achieve ESA compliance and certainty by state agencies, local governments, and private property owners. The state approach to achieving ESA compliance is to minimize liability by establishing a framework of conditions under which economic activities may continue without being considered unlawful "taking", while at the same time providing a sound base for recovery. The 1999-2001 Action Plan identifies, where appropriate, the ESA compliance strategy that is either underway or being considered for the actions.
A Salmon Recovery Scorecard will measure progress
A major goal of the Strategy and the initial Action Plan is to achieve measurable improvements and progress toward recovery. In May 2000, the Joint Natural Resources Cabinet produced the Salmon Recovery Scorecard, a product that translates the salmon recovery goals and objectives into high level outcomes, and establishes performance measures to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Action Plan and gauge progress on salmon recovery.
In summary, the Salmon Recovery Strategy was designed as a long-term guide of what we must achieve to recover salmon. The Action Plan outlines the state�s priority actions for short-term implementation of the Strategy. The Scorecard is our performance management system for tracking implementation, measuring progress, and changing course where needed.
Action Plan Funding
In the 1999-2001 Biennium, a total of $247.1 million from state, federal, and local sources has been provided to implement state salmon recovery activities included in the Action Plan. State funds represent 74 percent ($183 million) of the total funds, with federal funds amounting to almost 25 percent ($60.8 million) and local funds amounting to one percent. The total amounts to two-tenths of one percent of the whole state general fund budget, and six-tenths of one percent of all expenditures for the entire state budget.
In terms of total dollars contained in the Action Plan, almost 53.3 percent ($131 million) is provided as pass-through grants to local and regional efforts and 8.3 percent ($20.5 million) is allocated to provide technical assistance to local and regional salmon recovery entities. The remaining 38.4 percent ($94.9 million) is provided for state agency responsibilities.
HABITAT
Agriculture Strategy To Improve Fish Habitat
Goal
Improve farm and sector-based practices to provide the water quality, water quantity and functional riparian habitat needed for salmon recovery in the agricultural sector.
Outcomes
Implementation of the agricultural actions will contribute to the following salmon recovery outcomes:
- We will meet the needs of the Endangered Species Act/Clean Water Act.
- Freshwater and estuarine habitats are healthy and accessible.
- Rivers and streams have flows to support salmon.
- Water is clean and cool enough for salmon.
- Enhance compliance with resource protection laws.
- We will reach out to citizens.
Actions
- Refine and update state restrictions on pesticide applications and provide technical assistance on proper use of pesticides to ensure compliance with Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act. Department of Agriculture is lead.
- Revise farm conservation practices related to water quality and fish habitat found in the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Field Office Technical Guides (FOTGs) to meet endangered Species Act and Clean Water Act requirements. Department of Agriculture and Conservation Commission are co-leads.
- Implement Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program. Conservation Commission is lead.
- Develop guidance document for Comprehensive Irrigation District Management Plans for use by irrigation districts to address Endangered Species Act and Clean Water Act issues and requirements. Department of Agriculture is lead.
Forests And Fish
Goals
- Strengthen regulations to restore and maintain habitat to support healthy, harvestable quantities of fish.
- Strengthen regulations and other measures necessary to meet fish conservation requirements of the Endangered Species Act, as well as water quality requirements of the Clean Water Act.
- Maintain a viable timber industry and provide long-term regulatory certainty.
Outcomes
Implementation of the Forests and Fish actions will contribute to the following salmon recovery outcomes:
- We will meet the needs of the Endangered Species Act/Clean Water Act.
- Freshwater and estuarine habitats are healthy and accessible.
- Rivers and streams have flows to support salmon.
- Water is clean and cool enough for salmon.
Actions
- Adopt and implement new forest practices rules consistent with the Forests and Fish Report and Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB) 2091- An Act relating to forest practices as they affect the recovery of salmon and other aquatic resources, 1999. Forest Practices Board and Department of Natural Resources are co-leads.
- Review, approve, and monitor road maintenance and abandonment plans. Department of Natural Resources is lead.
- Complete Habitat Conservation Plan on forestry module by 2003. Cooperative effort by Departments of Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife, and Ecology, the Forest Practices Board, and the Governor�s Salmon Recovery Office.
- Carry out functions of the Small Forest Landowner Office. Department of Natural Resources is lead.
- Update watershed analysis manual, facilitate conducting watershed analysis and approve forest practices permits based on watershed analysis. Department of Fish and Wildlife is lead.
- Enhance statewide monitoring of rate of harvest, riparian zone management, etc. consistent with Forests and Fish Report. Forest Practices Board and Department of Natural Resources are co-leads.
- Enhance field staff in Departments of Natural Resources and Fish and Wildlife to assist landowners in implementing and ensuring compliance with the new forest practices rules. Department of Natural Resources is lead.
- Design a new forest practices permit system to streamline the processing of forest practices applications and improve the public ability to review and comment on proposed forest practices on state and private forest lands. Department of Natural Resources is lead.
- Purchase small landowners� forest riparian easements. Department of Natural Resources is lead.
Linking Land Use Decisions and Salmon Recovery
Goal
Protect and restore salmon habitat by avoiding and/or mitigating site specific and cumulative negative impacts of continuing growth and development.
Outcomes
Implementation of the land use actions will contribute to the following salmon recovery outcomes:
- We will meet the needs of the Endangered Species Act/Clean Water Act.
- Freshwater and estuarine habitats are healthy and accessible.
- Rivers and streams have flows to support.
- Water is clean and cool enough for salmon.
- Enhance compliance with resource protection laws.
- We will reach out to citizens.
- Salmon recovery roles are defined and partnerships strengthened.
- Achieve cost-effective recovery and efficient use of government resources.
- Use the best available science and integrate monitoring and research with planning and implementation.
- Citizens, salmon recovery partners, and state employees have timely access to the information, technical assistance, and funding they need to be successful.
Actions
- Adopt revised Shorelines Management Guidelines and assist local government in updating their Shorelines Master Programs. Department of Ecology is lead.
- Update of administrative guidelines for consideration by counties and cities on inclusion of the Best Available Science and to give special consideration to salmon conservation in their local Critical Areas Ordinances adopted under the Growth Management Act (GMA). Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development is lead.
- Develop and provide critical technical assistance and information, such as technical guidelines and maps to support local governments� update of their Critical Areas Ordinances. Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development is lead.
- Revise guidelines for development and implementation of local Floodplain Management Plans and for use of non-regulatory tools and incentives to reconnect river and flood plains. Department of Ecology is lead.
- Conduct a pilot basin-wide (Chehalis basin) integrated flood hazard reduction study consistent with the guidelines on development and implementation of local Floodplain Management Plans and use of non-regulatory tools and incentives. Department of Transportation is lead.
- Implement the recommendations of Committee on Floodplain Management Coordination established by the 1998 Legislature (Substitute House Bill 3110, Chapter 181, Laws of 1998) to address the need for implementation of a statewide, coordinated approach to reduce flood hazards. Departments of Transportation and Ecology are co-leads.
- Implement mitigation for transportation projects - statewide alternative mitigation policy guidance, identify wetland bank sites development, and administer the Advanced Mitigation Revolving Account. Department of Transportation is lead.
- Design and promote incentives for non-regulatory land use protection programs. Department of Ecology is lead.
- Provide technical assistance and facilitate implementation of programs to protect and restore wetlands in the Puget Sound basins. Puget Sound Action Team is lead.
- Complete the 20-year Washington Transportation Plan to include environmental sustainability objectives (e.g. water quality, and habitat). Department of Transportation is lead.
- Complete "Reinvent National Environmental Policy Act" pilot projects to address environmental concerns on a broad geographical area and earlier on into project planning. Department of Transportation is lead.
- Approve transfer of Class IV general forest practices permits (for conversion of forest land to development) to local governments. Department of Natural Resources is lead.
- Prevent, control and monitor spread of aquatic nuisance species. Departments of Fish and Wildlife, Ecology, and Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board are leads.
- Implement restoration, enhancement and protection efforts in salmonid habitat on Parks and Recreation Commission properties. Parks and Recreation Commission is lead.
Managing Urban Stormwater to Protect Streams
Goals
- Prevent negative impacts on salmon habitat and water quality caused by urban land development and changes in stormwater flows.
- Mitigate impacts of urban stormwater and restore habitat where impacts occur.
Outcomes
Implementation of the actions for Managing Urban Stormwater to Protect Streams will contribute to the following salmon recovery outcomes:
- We will meet the needs of the Endangered Species Act/Clean Water Act.
- Freshwater and estuarine habitats are healthy and accessible.
- Rivers and streams have flows to support salmon.
- Water is clean and cool enough for salmon.
Actions
- Develop a Stormwater Management Strategy for Washington State. Department of Ecology is lead.
- Update the stormwater manual to address stormwater impacts of new development on habitat and water quality. Department of Ecology is lead.
- Update the Puget Sound Stormwater Management Program and, as appropriate, update model ordinances for local stormwater management programs to be consistent with changes to the Puget Sound Management Plan. Puget Sound Action Team is lead.
- Provide technical assistance to local governments adopting and implementing stormwater management programs. Puget Sound Action Team and Department of Ecology are leads.
- Issue new stormwater permits and renew existing expired stormwater permits. Department of Ecology is lead.
- Update Highway Runoff Manual and negotiate Municipal Stormwater Permits. Department of Transportation is lead.
- Redesign and upgrade high priority stormwater outfalls and drainage facilities (retrofit) to current design and regulatory standards. Department of Transportation is lead.
Ensuring Adequate Water in Streams for Fish
Goal
Retain or provide adequate amounts of water to protect and restore fish habitat.
Outcomes
Implementation of the actions to Provide Adequate Water in Streams for Fish will contribute to the following salmon recovery outcomes:
- We will meet the needs of the Endangered Species Act/Clean Water Act.
- Rivers and streams have flows to support salmon.
- Water is clean and cool enough for salmon.
Actions
- Adopt instream flows by rules in high priority basins identified in the Statewide Strategy to Recover Salmon. Department of Ecology is lead.
- Develop a stream flow restoration memorandum of understanding to serve as a flow restoration plan template for use in restoring flows and ensuring adequate water for fish in watersheds with Endangered Species Act listings. Department of Ecology is lead.
- Develop and begin implementation of comprehensive stream flow restoration plans in high priority instream restoration basins identified in the Statewide Strategy to Recover Salmon. Department of Ecology is lead.
- Implement water conservation programs for public water suppliers and agricultural irrigation districts, and implement wastewater reuse programs focused toward 19 high priority basins identified in the Statewide Strategy to Recover Salmon. Departments of Health and Ecology are co-leads.
Clean Water for Fish
Goal
Restore and protect water quality to meet needs of salmon.
Outcomes
Implementation of the Clean Water actions will contribute to the following salmon recovery outcomes:
- We will meet the needs of the Endangered Species Act/Clean Water Act.
- Freshwater and estuarine habitats are healthy and accessible.
- Water is clean and cool enough for salmon.
Actions
- Adopt and implement revised water quality standards. Department of Ecology is lead.
- Implement key salmon-related actions contained in "Washington's Water Quality Management to Control Non-point Source Pollution Plan." Department of Ecology is lead.
- Develop and implement schedule for water clean up plans - Total Maximum Daily load (TMDLs) - focusing on watersheds with listed species first. Department of Ecology is lead.
- Implement the Yakima River sediment reduction plan. Department of Ecology is lead.
- Carry out spill prevention and response, and contaminated sediments programs to eliminate or reduce risks and impacts on aquatic systems. Department of Ecology is lead.
- Negotiate "a road map" to meet requirements of Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act. Department of Ecology is lead.
Fish Passage Barriers - Providing Access To Habitat
Goal
Ensure habitat is accessible to wild salmon.
Outcomes
Implementation of the Fish Passage Barriers actions will contribute to the following salmon recovery outcomes:
- We will meet the needs of the Endangered Species Act/Clean Water Act.
- Freshwater and estuarine habitats are healthy and accessible.
Actions
- Inventory and prioritize fish passage barriers and fish screening problems. Departments of Fish and Wildlife and Transportation are co-leads.
- Correct fish passage barriers. Departments of Fish and Wildlife and Transportation are co-leads.
- Correct fish screening problems. Department of Fish and Wildlife is lead.
- Provide technical assistance for fish passage and screening. Departments of Fish and Wildlife and Transportation are co-leads.
HARVEST
Harvest Management To Meet The Needs Of Wild Fish
Goal
Protect, restore, and enhance the productivity and diversity of wild salmonids and their ecosystems to sustain ceremonial subsistence, commercial, and recreational fisheries; non-consumptive fish benefits; and other related cultural and ecological values.
Outcomes
Implementation of the Harvest Management actions will contribute to the following salmon recovery outcomes:
- We will have productive and diverse wild salmon populations.
- We will meet the requirements of the Endangered Species Act/Clean Water Act.
- Harvest management actions protect wild salmon.
- Enhance compliance with resource protection laws.
- Use the best available science and integrate monitoring and research with planning and implementation.
Actions
- Continue and complete Comprehensive Species Management Planning under U.S. v. Washington and U.S. v. Oregon. This includes activities such as development of Comprehensive Chinook and Comprehensive Coho Management Plans for Puget Sound stocks; development of recovery and rebuilding plans for listed (such as Hood Canal summer chum) and non-listed stocks, as well as management plans for selected coastal rivers; and implementation of U.S. and Canadian fishing regimes that support the 1999 Pacific Salmon Treaty Annexes and achieve stock protection and recovery objectives. Department of Fish and Wildlife and Tribes are co-leads.
- Continue to implement annual harvest measures, through the North of Cape Falcon/Pacific Fisheries Management Council fishery season-setting process, that achieve spawner/exploitation objectives consistent with salmon recovery; and continue to pursue ESA authorization for harvest-related incidental takes through Endangered Species Act Sections 7 and/or 4(d) rule of ESA. Department of Fish and Wildlife and Tribes are co-leads.
- Continue to investigate selective fishing methods in Washington ocean, inside marine, and freshwater fishing areas, and methods to reduce incidental impacts on non-target stocks and species. Department of Fish and Wildlife and Tribes are co-leads.
- Continue and expand commercial and recreational fishery monitoring to collect data on which catch estimates are based, to collect basic biological information used to determine stock demographics and distribution in fisheries, and to ensure that new fishing techniques are achieving the desired outcomes; and pursue incidental take authorization under Sections 7, 10, or 4(d) of Endangered Species Act, when needed. Department of Fish and Wildlife and Tribes are co-leads.
- Continue non-Indian commercial salmon fleet license buyback. Department of Fish and Wildlife is lead.
- Pursue Endangered Species Act compliance for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife harvest and science/research activities. Department of Fish and Wildlife is lead.
HYDROPOWER
Hydropower And Fish: Pursuing Opportunities
Goal
Achieve no net impact for each salmonid species affected by hydropower activities.
Outcomes
Implementation of the hydropower actions will contribute to the following salmon recovery outcomes:
- We will have productive and diverse wild salmon populations.
- Freshwater and estuarine habitats are healthy and accessible.
Actions
- Ensure that operation of hydropower, water supply and flood control dam projects, that are either proposed or petitioned for re-approval/re-licensing, protect and reduce/mitigate impacts on salmon and its habitat. Departments of Fish and Wildlife, and Ecology, and the Northwest Power Planning Council are leads.
- Condition hydropower projects with instream flow requirements and operational changes for juvenile rearing, adult spawning, and juvenile and adult passage. Department of Ecology is lead.
- Participate in implementation of mitigation measures for anadromous and resident salmonids (i.e., habitat improvement, artificial production, habitat protection and restoration in tributaries, reservoir water management, and fish and habitat research). Departments of Fish and Wildlife, Ecology, and the Northwest Power Planning Council are leads.
- Monitor major hydropower projects for compliance. Department of Fish and Wildlife is lead.
TOOLBOX FOR RECOVERY
Educating The Public About The Needs Of Salmon
Goal
Inform, build support, involve, and mobilize citizens to assist in restoration, conservation, and enhancement of salmon habitat. And educate the public about the state�s salmon recovery objectives.
Outcomes
Implementation of the education tools will contribute to the following salmon recovery outcomes:
- We will reach out to citizens.
- Citizens, salmon recovery partners, and state employees have timely access to the information, technical assistance, and funding they need to be successful.
Actions
- Develop and implement education/outreach and volunteers strategy. Governor�s Salmon Recovery Office is lead.
- Develop and implement communications and outreach projects supporting the state�s salmon recovery objectives. Governor�s Salmon Recovery Office is lead.
- Implement volunteer programs to collect salmon recovery monitoring data utilizing standardized data collection protocols, and/or to provide environmental education to schools, landowners and the general public. Governor�s Council on Environmental Education and Department of Fish and Wildlife are co-leads.
- Implement the Washington Conservation Corps� "Salmon Recovery Initiative" funded by AmeriCorps National Service to recruit, train, and coordinate volunteers. Department of Ecology is lead.
- Develop and implement community or site-specific public education plans, and targeting messages and materials. Department of Fish and Wildlife is lead.
- Develop and implement statewide training programs for the public and specific interest groups such as the contracting and construction community and others. Departments of Transportation and Fish and Wildlife are co-leads.
- Administer the Public Involvement and Education fund to support projects that have significant salmon-related components. Puget Sound Action Team is lead.
- Volunteer coordination through Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups. Conservation Commission is lead.
- Develop and implement statewide interpretive plan for on-the-ground interpretive resources at state-managed properties. Parks and Recreation Commission is lead.
Enforcement Of Existing Laws Related To Salmon
Goal
Improve compliance with environmental and resource laws that support salmon protection and restoration.
Outcome
Implementation of the enforcement actions outlined in this toolbox will contribute to the following salmon recovery outcome:
- Enhance compliance with resource protection laws.
Actions
- Establish and implement collaborative processes to increase coordination of compliance and enforcement activities among the regulatory state natural resource agencies with joint or primary jurisdictional authority. Departments of Fish and Wildlife and Ecology are co-leads.
- Fully staff and deploy marine enforcement detachments (enforcement patrol units) within Department of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement to increase visible enforcement presence on marine waters. Department of Fish and Wildlife is lead.
- Increase compliance and enforcement of Hydraulic Code - Hydraulic Project Approvals for habitat protection and increase compliance with fish passage and screening requirements. Department of Fish and Wildlife is lead.
- Increase compliance and enforcement activities for water quality nonpoint pollution sources. Department of Ecology is lead.
- Detect and enforce against illegal diversions in four high priority restoration basins identified in Statewide Strategy to Recover Salmon, and establish instream flow monitoring and compliance programs in four watersheds designated as high priority for protection in the Strategy. Department of Ecology is lead.
- Develop and implement a compliance/accountability database to track Department of Transportation permit requirements and mitigation activities (tracking system could be used as model by other state agencies and local jurisdictions). Department of Transportation is lead.
Permit Streamlining
Goal
Ensure projects are designed fish friendly, reviewed consistently, and permit decisions are made efficiently.
Outcomes
Implementation of actions to improve and streamline the permitting process will contribute to the following salmon recovery outcomes:
- Achieve cost-effective recovery and efficient use of government resources.
- Use the best available science and integrate monitoring and research with planning and implementation.
- Citizens, salmon recovery partners, and state employees have timely access to the information, technical assistance, and funding they need to be successful.
Actions
- Adopt and implement revised State Environmental Policy Act exemptions, checklist and guidance to address salmon issues. Department of Ecology is lead.
- Develop and implement Integrated Stream Corridor Guidelines, building on the completed Integrated Streambank Protection Guidelines. Department of Fish and Wildlife is lead.
- Develop and implement permit conditions for various salmon and water-related permits such as 401 Water Quality Certification, and Coastal Zone Management Consistency. Department of Ecology is lead.
- Conduct comprehensive programmatic review of Hydraulic Project Approval process related to wild salmonid policy goals, including in-depth review of laws and rules and standard requirements; and initiate an Endangered Species Act compliance document to cover Hydraulic Project Approval actions. Department of Fish and Wildlife is lead.
- Develop and implement recommendation on integration of the Forest Practices permits and Hydraulic Project Approvals to implement requirements of Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2091 (Act relating to Forests and Fish). Department of Fish and Wildlife is lead.
- Complete programmatic biological assessments for transportation projects with National Marine Fisheries Service and US Fish and Wildlife Service and state regulatory agencies. Department of Transportation is lead.
ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING
Key Improvements in Science-Based Decision Making by State Agencies
Goals
- Develop and implement a decision-making system that is guided by the best available science and that uses new information generated from conservation actions.
- Accurately assess the responses in salmon, steelhead and trout populations and their habitat to specific strategies undertaken.
Outcomes
Implementation of key tools to improve science-based decision-making will support the following salmon recovery outcomes:
- We will have productive and diverse wild salmon populations.
- Freshwater and estuarine habitats are healthy and accessible.
- Achieve cost-effective recovery and efficient use of government resources.
- Use the best available science and integrate monitoring and research with planning and implementation.
- Citizens, salmon recovery partners and state employees have timely access to the information, technical assistance, and funding they need to be successful.
Actions
Science
- Develop, with Tribes and National Marine Fisheries Service and US Fish and Wildlife Service, recovery goals for listed stocks,and rebuilding targets for non-listed stocks. Department of Fish and Wildlife and Tribes are leads.
- Establish and implement a technical and scientific review process for restoration/protection projects and activities funded by the Salmon Recovery Funding Board and other state funding programs. Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation is lead.
- Provide independent scientific review and oversight of the state�s salmon recovery efforts. Independent Science Panel is lead.
- Facilitate coordination and application of science in statewide salmon recovery strategies and programs and develop science-based criteria for watershed assessment. Governor�s Salmon Recovery Office is lead.
- Standardize science methodology to characterize stream hydrology and runoff rates and research stormwater technology design, cost benefit and know-how to effectively address stormwater problems. Department of Transportation is lead.
Monitoring
- Facilitate development of a comprehensive statewide monitoring framework to integrate and/or coordinate statewide, regional, watershed and project monitoring systems, within four years. Governor�s Salmon Recovery Office is lead.
- Develop criteria and guidelines for monitoring and adaptive management components of salmon recovery plans. Governor�s Salmon Recovery Office and Department of Fish and Wildlife are co-leads.
- Implement the Puget Sound Ambient Monitoring Program to monitor and assess the effects of pollutants on salmon. Department of Ecology is lead.
- Update data on current Salmonid Stock Inventory Project (SaSI) and integrate SaSI data with Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Inventory and Assessment Program (SSHIAP) to allow tracking of salmonid recovery. Department of Fish and Wildlife and Tribes are co-leads.
- Update and expand the existing Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Inventory and Assessment Program statewide to aid identification of problem areas, and allow tracking of salmonid recovery and habitat improvements; incorporate SaSI stock information. Department of Fish and Wildlife and Tribes are co-leads.
- Expand annual spawner abundance monitoring and improve annual abundance databases so that success of recovery can be measured. Department of Fish and Wildlife and Tribes are co-leads.
- Continue and expand freshwater productivity research to measure improvements in egg-to-migrant survival so success of habitat restoration actions can be evaluated and initiate habitat monitoring in several of the productivity research areas. Department of Fish and Wildlife and Tribes are co-leads.
- Provide independent scientific input to monitoring planning, data quality, and evaluation of monitoring data in support of the state�s salmon recovery efforts. Independent Science Panel is lead.
- Monitor marine and estuarine vegetation. Department of Natural Resources is lead.
Data and mapping
- Develop water typing model and move new water typing codes into Geographic Information System (GIS) for mapping, to support Forests and Fish Requirements. Department of Natural Resources is lead.
- Advance development of the Washington Framework data themes, and complete initial implementation of Hydrography, Cadastral, and Transportation Framework data themes. Departments of Natural Resources and Transportation are leads.
- Develop and implement a "tactical" plan for salmon recovery information management. Departments of Ecology and Information Services are co-leads.
- Develop and implement the Integrated Natural Resources Data System (In-roads) pilot project. Department of Transportation and Tribes are co-leads.
- Image and make water rights information in critical basins available electronically for use in developing water budgets and maps. Department of Ecology is lead.
- Track funds allocated for salmon habitat projects and activities and distribute or provide easy access to information on state and federal funds expended on salmon recovery efforts. Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation is lead.
- Inventory nearshore habitat. Department of Natural Resources is lead.
Research and technology transfer
- Continue fish ecology research,such as investigations of survival, population genetics and demographics, fish presence and habitat usage by life stage, so that improvements in these population ecology elements (resulting from recovery activities) can be evaluated. Department of Fish and Wildlife is lead.
- Conduct studies related to harbor seal and caspian tern predation on salmonids. Department of Fish and Wildlife is lead.
Status Report
- Prepare Governor's biennial State of the Salmon Report, update Statewide Strategy to Recover Salmon and develop implementation plan (Action Plan), and monitor the implementation of agencies� actions. Governor�s Salmon Recovery Office and Office of Financial Management are leads.
REGIONAL RESPONSE
Key Regional Response Activities by State Agencies
Goal
Implement a coordinated and balanced recovery response that moves us aggressively toward the salmon recovery goal while maintaining a healthy economy.
Outcomes
Implementation of key regional response activities by state agencies will contribute to the following salmon recovery outcomes:
- We will meet the needs of the endangered Species Act/Clean Water Act.
- We will reach out to citizens.
- Salmon recovery roles are defined and partnerships strengthened.
- Achieve cost-effective recovery and efficient use of government resources.
- Use the best available science and integrate monitoring and research with planning and implementation.
- Citizens, salmon recovery partners and state employees have timely access to the information, technical assistance, and funding they need to be successful.
Actions
- Assist local entities in developing regional recovery responses. Governor�s Salmon Recovery Office is lead.
- Create toolbox of recovery material (guidelines, models, limiting factors analysis, critical path methodologies, alternative mitigation, etc.) for use by local watershed and regional recovery entities. Governor�s Salmon Recovery Office is lead.
- Provide technical assistance and funding support to local entities formed under the 1998 Salmon Recovery Act - Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2496. Department of Fish and Wildlife is lead.
- Expand the development of local watershed salmon responses including responses under the Watershed Planning Act- Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2514, or other comparable planning processes, which address water quantity, water quality, and habitat. Department of Ecology is lead.
- Complete the limiting factors analysis authorized under the Salmon Recovery Planning Act - ESHB 2496. Conservation Commission is lead.
- Provide grants for salmon recovery, including salmon habitat restoration, land acquisition and planning, and technical activities directly supporting salmon recovery. Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation and Salmon Recovery Funding Board are co-leads.
- Administer salmon recovery grants and assist Salmon Recovery Funding Board with implementation of the Salmon Recovery Funding Act of 1999 - 2E2SSB 5595. Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation is lead.
- Provide grants for land conservation directly supporting salmon recovery. Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation is lead.
- Provide technical assistance to help local governments and landowners in developing and implementing salmon friendly actions and plans. Departments of Fish and Wildlife, and Ecology, Puget Sound Action Team, and Conservation Commission are leads.