The Osprey: Comments on the Elwha River Fish Restoration Plan and Fishing Moratorium
Comments on the Elwha River Fish Restoration Plan and Fishing Moratorium, by Kurt Beardslee et al., pp 1 & 4-5, Issue No. 69, May 2011. A Coalition of conservationists and biologists criticize the plan on the following grounds: Lack of SEPA, NEPA and ESA compliance particularly in light of plans for hatchery releases and the fishing moratorium. Furthermore, the plan lacks monitoring, methods to stop hatchery fish straying and the necessary budget for implementation.
Editor’s Message: Dam Fish Issues, by Jim Yuskavitch, pg 2, Issue No. 69, May 2011. Yuskavitch surveys this issues dam related articles and the challenges presented to wild fish and their advocates.
Chair’s Corner: Yakima, Klickitat Hatcheries Undermine Wild Salmon, by Will Atlas, pg 3, Issue No. 69, May 2011. Hatchery programs on the Klickitat and Yakima introduce non-native salmon stocks that hinder productivity and genetic integrity of fragile wild stocks. Unfortunately and inaccurately, managers credit these programs for recent increases in wild fish numbers.
Stanford University’s Dirty Secret: Searsville Dam, by Matt Stoecker, pp 6-10, Issue No. 69, May 2011. Stoecker, of Beyond Searsville Dam, explains how the dam cuts off many miles of salmon and steelhead habitat that once was home to strong wild salmon and steelhead runs and traps sediment necessary for the bay’s wetlands. Incredibly, Stanford University owns the property as part of a biological research station, refuses to acknowledge its impacts and appears to have no interest in recovering San Francisquito Creek.
Steelhead and Resident Rainbow Relationship Slowly Revealed, by Mark Christie and John McMillan, pp 11-13, Issue No. 69, May 2011. The authors share molecular and field observational research to demonstrate how resident rainbows can contribute significantly to the productivity of steelhead. The mating events tend to be more common late in the season and in upper parts of the basin, at least in the available observational research.
Wild Fish Advocates Challenge Sandy River Hatchery Program, by Spencer Miles, pp 14-16, Issue No. 69, May 2011. ODFW’s hatchery programs for salmon and steelhead have been increasingly problematic due to the loss of Marmot dam, which previously excluded some hatchery fish straying. With the Marmot dam removal and millions of more dollars spent on habitat restoration wild fish advocates have filed a 60 day intent to sue ODFW for its illegal hatchery practices.
The Ongoing Plight of Washington’s East Fork Lewis River, by Cindy Morgan, pp 17-19, Issue No. 69, May 2011. A large gravel mine has been draining an aquifer for over 20 years, leading to high summer temperatures and low flows. The mine is failing to abide by various laws and continues to threaten a once bountiful stream.