Requesting Congress to amend the marine mammal protection act and the migratory bird act to allow the lethal removal of pinnipeds and predatory birds in Puget Sound in a manner similar to the recent changes authorized in the Columbia river to protect endangered salmon populations.
Summary
SJM 8013 is a joint memorial asking Congress to further amend federal wildlife-protection laws so Washington and tribal governments could lethally remove pinnipeds, such as sea lions, and predatory birds in Puget Sound. The memorial states that pinniped predation and fish-eating birds are significant threats to already critically endangered and threatened salmon stocks in Washington and the Pacific Northwest, and it points to recent federal changes in the Columbia River as a model for similar authority in Puget Sound.
The memorial specifically requests changes to the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Act to allow lethal removal of pinnipeds and predatory birds in areas where federally listed salmonids are present. It also asks Congress to require the National Marine Fisheries Service to process certain state or tribal permit applications within six months and to eliminate the National Environmental Policy Act review requirement for those applications. The measure is a request to Congress rather than a direct change to Washington state law, but it reflects the Legislature’s position on federal authority over wildlife management in salmon recovery areas.
Impact
Because this is a memorial, it does not itself amend Washington statutes or create state regulatory authority. Its practical effect would be to urge Congress and federal agencies to change the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and related federal permitting and environmental-review processes so that state and tribal entities could more readily remove pinnipeds and predatory birds in Puget Sound and similar salmon habitat. The bill’s target parties are federal lawmakers and agencies, along with state and tribal fish and wildlife managers who would benefit from expanded removal authority if Congress acted.
Sentiment
The available context suggests generally supportive sentiment among the sponsors, who frame the memorial as a salmon-recovery measure and as an extension of authority already used in the Columbia River. The bill was introduced by Senators Fortunato and Salomon and referred to the Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee on first reading, but there are no recorded votes or committee transcripts in the provided material. As a result, the public record here shows the sponsors’ intent more clearly than any broader legislative debate.
Contention
The main point of contention is the proposal to authorize lethal removal of protected wildlife, especially pinnipeds and predatory birds, which are covered by federal conservation laws. Supporters argue that these animals are harming endangered salmon populations and that Puget Sound should receive treatment similar to the Columbia River. Opponents, if any, are not identified in the provided record, but likely concerns would center on animal protection, federal preemption, and whether removing predators is an appropriate or effective salmon recovery strategy.