The Salmon Recovery Funding Board is considering changes to rules that implement the Salmon Recovery Act (Chapter 77.85 RCW). In 2018, the Washington State Legislature directed the board to conduct a study to improve the project development and prioritization process used by the Salmon Recovery Funding Board. The Salmon Recovery Lean Study recommended changes to Title 420 of the Washington Administrative Code to clarify and standardize the local and regional salmon recovery process.

Salmon recovery in Washington State includes a multitude of partners working together from the bottom up to recover listed salmon populations, known as the “Washington Way.” In 1998, the Salmon Recovery Act established the local process which led to a complex framework that is not easily communicated to project sponsors or those new to the “Washington Way.”

The recommended Lean Study changes will formalize the foundational work that has been in place since 1998 and provide a framework for the future. These are technical amendments that should not affect your work in salmon recovery. New sections are included to capture the roles and responsibilities of lead entities, regional recovery organizations, and the governor’s salmon recovery office. There are also some new definitions, as well as definition changes to provide technical clarity.

The CR-101 is available on the board’s rulemaking website. For a complete draft of changes, please contact katie.pruit@rco.wa.gov. The board will hold a public hearing December 12-13, 2019.

For more information on salmon recovery, please visit the RCO’s website.