The Legislature intends to provide additional guidance and requirements regarding critical area planning to benefit statewide salmon recovery and conservation efforts.
SB 5306, sponsored by Sen. Jesse Salomon (D–Shoreline), directs the Department of Fish and
Wildlife (DFW) to adopt conservation and restoration guidelines to preserve and enhance anadromous fisheries. These guidelines must be adopted by January 1, 2022 and identify:
- Priority marine nearshore, stream segments, and riparian areas that present the most important conservation habitat;
- Land use incompatible with salmon recovery and habitat perseveration; and
- Methods for improving and preserving salmon habitat.
The bill requires counties and cities to update critical policies and development regulations based on the guidelines, acquire critical habitat lands, enact incentives, and establish other measures to implement the guidelines. DFW may exempt a county
or city if the jurisdiction has minimal or no areas of critical habitat for salmon stocks listed under the federal Endangered Species Act.
Cities under the 2024 and 2025 comprehensive plan update timeline must begin implementing the new guidance in 2022. All other cities must implement by July 30, 2026.
AWC would like to hear from cities whether this approach is preferable to that taken by HB 1117,
which creates a more explicit feedback loop between cities and the Department of Fish & Wildlife on salmon recovery issues.
Date to remember
SB 5306 is scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks Committee on Thursday, February 4 at 1:30 pm.