The WDFW was on the verge of designating the Wind, East Fork Lewis, Green and North Fork Toutle Rivers as wild steelhead gene banks based on recommendations of an advisory group the WDFW convened on the subject of wild steelhead recovery.
Now, thanks to pressure from the CCA, the WDFW has extended the comment period and is holding a second public meeting on the issue next week in Centralia. Needless to say this is bullshit and it's critical that wild steelhead advocates come out in force next week in Centralia.
Osprey Steelhead News has all the gory details.
Maybe it's time for pitchforks and torches?
The track record of the WDFW when it comes to protecting wild steelhead is pathetic. I've now lived in the state for 10 years and by every measure their policies have been a dismal failure. Guess it must be a coincidence that the state leads the world in hatchery production. When well thought out proposals for no more wild kill, or managing the shit show on the Olympic Peninsula were put forward the WDFW's response was to not even give those proposals a fair hearing. Now with an opportunity to close the book on a few wild steelhead gene banks the department caves to pressure from hatchery advocates and extends the dialog.
Now you tell me where their priorities lie....