A $1.5 million appropriation to combat sea lion predation on the lower Columbia River and its tributaries was approved by the Washington State Senate as it passed a $71.6 billion operating budget bill.  Predation of salmon by sea lions has doubled since 2006.  Last spring, sea lions were spotted further up the Cowlitz River than ever before, gobbling salmon and smolt upriver 70 miles to the base of the barrier dam.  Longview State Senator Jeff Wilson says the region loses 12 percent of its salmon to predation.  Both chambers must negotiate and pass budget bills before the scheduled conclusion of the 60-day session on March 7.