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WA SJM8013
JM
Status
1/12/2026
Primary Sponsor
Phil Fortunato
Click for details
AI Summary
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Washington State Legislature requests Congress amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Migratory Bird Act to allow lethal removal of pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) and predatory birds in Puget Sound to protect endangered salmon
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State and treaty tribes would be authorized to remove pinnipeds in freshwater river systems and estuaries on both the Columbia River and Puget Sound where federally listed salmon species are present
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National Marine Fisheries Service would be required to process permit applications from states or treaty tribes within six months of receipt
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National Environmental Policy Act review requirements would be eliminated for state or tribal applications to remove pinnipeds
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Congress made similar changes to the Marine Mammal Protection Act in 2018 for portions of the Columbia River; this memorial seeks to extend those provisions to Puget Sound
Legislative Description
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.
Last Action
First reading, referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources.
1/12/2026