As we work towards our collective goal of recovering salmon, we operate within a system of rules and laws, referred to as policy. To be effective, these policies need to change and evolve over time as the Puget Sound population grows, and we learn more from science and Tribal knowledge.

We work with Tribal co-managers and our salmon recovery community to identify and advance policy changes that protect and restore critical salmon habitat and strengthen ecosystems. There are many ways for this to take place:

• The Salmon Recovery Council - Guides overall policy direction for implementing the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Plan.
• The 2024 Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Plan Addendum - Identifies key policy areas, such as population growth and water quantity. The Addendum’s implementation plan will identify policy change that needs to occur within the next 2-4 years.
• The Salmon Science Advisory Group - Supports policies backed by science that support salmon recovery.
• The Puget Sound Leadership Council - Serves as the regional salmon recovery organization for Puget Sound. Each year, they adopt legislative priorities that include state policy needs identified by the Salmon Recovery Council and Salmon Recovery Plan.
• Tribal engagement - We consult and coordinate with federally recognized Tribes to improve policy that impacts salmon recovery.

Key Salmon Policy Topics

Policy topics that impact salmon recovery efforts include, but are not limited to:

• Endangered species - Protects fish, wildlife, and plants that are listed as threatened or endangered through the preparation and implementation of recovery plans.
• Examples: Endangered Species Act, Salmon Recovery Act

• Land use - State laws and implementing guidelines that direct local governments about where and how different types of development should occur. Local governments must include environmental protection and other elements that benefits salmon in their land use planning.
• Examples: Growth Management Act, Shoreline Management Act.

• Clean water - State established and federally approved water quality standards, discharge permits, and water quality improvement plans that ensure clean water to support human and environmental health.
• Examples: Washington Water Pollution Control Act, Clean Water Act.

• Water availability - State law requires that enough water is kept in streams and rivers to protect and support fish, wildlife, recreation, water quality, and other instream uses.
• Examples: Streamflow Restoration Act, instream flow rules.

• Human wellbeing - State legislation aims to include human wellbeing and environmental justice into decision-making processes of state agencies.
• Example: Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act.

Last updated: 11/05/25