Bill would restrict land use by streams

OLYMPIA – Environmental activists hope mandatory conservation of key habitat will help salmon runs recover, but opponents worry farmers will pay a price.

House Bill 1838, the Lorraine Loomis Act named in honor of the late Northwest Indian Fisheries commissioner, will make public and private property off-limits for development and other uses near salmon bearing waterways.

Prime sponsor of the bill, Rep. Debra Lekanoff, D-Anacortes, said salmon play a vital cultural and economic role in the state.

“Salmon are an important part of this industry, always have been for Washington state,” she said.

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