Bill > SB5475

This bill modifies existing Washington state law regarding salmon recovery project funding by enhancing requirements and creating a new maintenance account. The bill amends RCW 77.85.130 to add a new criterion for evaluating and ranking salmon habitat projects: projects must now include a plan for ongoing maintenance or methods to ensure long-term effectiveness. Additionally, the bill establishes a new Salmon Recovery Project Maintenance Account in the state treasury, which will receive legislative funding specifically dedicated to long-term maintenance of salmon recovery projects. The legislature intends to allocate approximately one percent of total salmon recovery project funds to this account, ensuring that habitat restoration efforts remain effective over time. The bill aims to improve the sustainability of salmon habitat projects by requiring maintenance planning and creating a dedicated funding mechanism, which will help preserve the ecological benefits of salmon recovery investments. Key terms like "salmon recovery" refer to efforts to protect and restore salmon populations and their habitats, while "lead entities" are local organizations responsible for coordinating salmon habitat protection and restoration in specific regions.

Government Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5475&Year=2025&Initiative=false