I received this information frrom Bill Vincent <willie-john@msn.com> and the Olympic Fly Fishers., Bob Bates WSCFFF VP Communication
Dear Bob Bates:
The pressure on trout waters across our state increases every year. The costs of improving habitat and enhancing the fishery also rise each year. Sadly, the funds available aren't keeping pace with the need.
A group of us is proposing that we provide additional funding for trout fishing enhancement through a $5.00 surcharge that would apply to trout fishing only and would be added only if an individual is purchasing a fresh water fishing license. We have drafted a bill and Rep. Maralyn Chase has agreed to sponsor it in the Washington State Legislature.
We are writing to all fishing organizations across the state to ask for their input and suggestions.
I am enclosing a copy of the Trout Bill for your review. If you or your members have any questions, suggestions or would like me to visit your club you can reach me at
willie-john@msn.com.
Sincerely,
William Vincent
Olympic Fly Fishers
OLYMPIC FLY FISHERS.
P.O. BOX 148 EDMONDS WA 98020
The members of the Olympic Fly Fishers are eager to talk about this to anyone. Please contact them if you have any questions.
Click Here to download a PDF copy
AN ACT Relating to a Trout enhancement program; adding a new chapter to Title 77 RCW; creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A Trout Enhancement Program is created in the department to be funded from the sale of a Trout surcharge. The enhancement program shall be designed to increase the opportunities to fish for and catch Trout including: Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, resident Rainbow Trout, Eastern Brook Trout, Tiger Trout, Lake Trout, Grayling, Kokanee, Dolly Varden/Bull Trout and landlocked Atlantic, chinook, coho salmon. The program shall be designed to use a practical applied approach to increasing Trout fishing. This approach shall involve the minimization of overhead and administrative costs and the maximization of productive in-the-field activities.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise,
as used in this chapter, "Trout" includes the following
species: Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, resident Rainbow
Trout, Eastern Brook Trout, Tiger Trout, Lake Trout, Grayling,
Kokanee, Dolly Varden/ Bull Trout and landlocked Atlantic, chinook,
coho salmon. "Trout" does not include Steelhead.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) A Trout surcharge allows a person to fish through out the state for Trout.
(2) The annual fee for a Trout surcharge is five dollars and the surcharge is required in addition to the freshwater and combination annual game fishing license, except for those persons under fifteen years of age for which there is no charge. Holders of one to five day fishing licenses shall pay a one dollar surcharge.
(3) The department shall use the most cost effective approach in designing and administering the Trout surcharge.
(4) A Trout surcharge shall be required to fish for: Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, resident Rainbow Trout, Eastern Brook Trout, Tiger Trout, Lake Trout, Grayling, Kokanee, Dolly Varden/ Bull Trout and landlocked Atlantic, chinook, coho salmon.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The goal of the Trout Enhancement Program is to improve the fishing for Trout in streams, lowland lakes and alpine lakes using cost effective management. Management activities shall include, obtaining and maintaining new public access to key trout fishing waters, new hatchery capital projects that benefit trout, purchasing Trout from private growers, population management through the use of fish toxicants, improvement of Trout habitat, development of new fishing waters, transplantation and introduction of sterile Trout and other practical activities that will improve trout fishing. These activities should result in up to one million additional one-half pound Trout (or equivalent poundage) available to anglers each year beginning in 2012.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5 Improvement of Trout fishing shall be done in a manner that minimizes significant adverse impacts to native cold water fish populations. The department shall not develop projects that will increase the populations of undesirable or deleterious fish species.
The department may use the resources of cooperative groups to assist in the planning and implementation of the Trout Enhancement Program. In the development of the program, the department may actively involve the organized fishing clubs that primarily fish for Trout.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The Trout account is hereby created in the state wildlife fund. Moneys in the account are subject to legislative appropriation and shall be used for the purpose of funding the Trout Enhancement Program. Funds from the Trout surcharge shall not serve as replacement funding for department-operated Trout projects existing on December 31, 2006. Funds from the sale of the Trout surcharge shall be deposited in the Trout account.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. The department of fish and wildlife shall provide to the natural resource committees of the legislature a management plan for the Trout Enhancement Program on or before December 31, 2008.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. Sections 1 through 6 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 77 RCW.
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