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Senate committee hears split testimony on bill to authorize volunteer steelhead broodstock programs
Summary
Supporters including anglers and conservation groups urged SB 6,241 to expand angler‑caught wild broodstock programs to boost steelhead runs; scientists and Trout Unlimited warned the committee the approach lacks consistent monitoring and that statutory direction on hatchery management risks sidelining adaptive, science‑based decisions.
A Washington State Senate committee on Thursday heard competing testimony on Senate Bill 6,241, which would direct the Department of Fish and Wildlife to implement volunteer-driven wild broodstock steelhead conservation programs and adopt related rules for broodstock requirements, fish health and population targets.
Jeff Olson, committee staff, told the panel the bill directs WDFW to run wild broodstock programs in watersheds with native steelhead and to conduct rulemaking; the fiscal note cited in committee estimated a $14,600,000 cost in fiscal year 2027 based on 22 programs averaging roughly 100,000 steelhead.
Sen…
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