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Methow Valley
News October 5, 2000 Endangered Species Another water meeting, still no pact NMFS monitors canal seasonal shutdown
Another water meeting, still no pact USGS study now a part of talks by Lee Hicks Basin fish and water talks have reached a stage that has participants and observers wondering when, and even if, it will be possible to reach an agreement to put before the public. Local watershed planning unit members remain frustrated that federal and state agencies appear unwilling to acknowledge that new data may shed more light on the effects of irrigation on streamflows and endangered fish. "If they were honest with data collection and wanted to understand relationships they wouldn’t deny that in the document," watershed unit chairman Dick Ewing said Monday (Oct. 2) after a Friday negotiating session. "Obviously they don’t want to be scientifically object-ive...that’s what we’re feeling," Ewing said. The watershed unit was particularly concerned over the agencies’ reluctance to incorporate wording to reflect a major hydrology study proposed by the U.S. Geological Survey. The study is intended to provide more data on irrigation, streamflows and groundwater recharge. Planning unit members believe that turning off some ditches, including "Section 7" canals diverting on federal land, would result in incomplete data. State Rep. Linda Parlette, R-12th, said Monday she shares the watershed unit’s frustration. But Parlette, running unopposed for the senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. George Sellar, said Monday she hopes the Methow basin members will stay in the process. "I’m just glad the local people are still sitting there at the negotiating table," she said. It was Parlette who took the lead with other regional legislators to get the watershed unit involved after similar talks last year involving county officials, federal and state agencies ended in widespread public opposition to a proposed agreement. One concern of Parlette’s is the deadlines for meeting certain provisions of the draft agreement as talks continue. The planning unit is set to go "face-to-face" again Thursday Oct. 12 with representatives of National Marine Fisheries Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, state Fish and Wildlife, and the state Department of Ecology. It now looks as if no agreement will be reached in time for a public hearing before the Nov. 7 election. Any proposal must then be approved by the Okanogan Board of County Commissioners. Meanwhile, Wolf Creek Reclamation District and Sun Mountain Lodge continue to work with NMFS and USFWS on a framework for a habitat conservation plan or HCP. The plan could give the district and lodge some certainty for operating within the constraints of endangered species regulation. If completed, it could be the first such plan in the basin. A draft HCP is also a long-term objective of a basin-wide agreement involving the county, federal and state agencies. HCPs are said to provide those participating with protection against litigation by private parties and government agencies under the Endangered Species Act.
NMFS monitors canal seasonal shutdown By John Hanron Agents and biologists from two federal agencies were closely monitoring the incremental shut-down of the Methow Valley Irrigation District canals this week to assist with the removal of any fish that may have found their way into the ditch. Five enforcement agents from National Marine Fisheries Service and two biologists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service were monitoring the lowering water levels in the lower reach of the eastside canal at Beaver Creek Tuesday (Oct. 3) in an effort to rescue any fish that otherwise would become trapped in the ditches, which are being closed for the season. "We’re here to do fish salvage," said Stuart Cory, an enforcement agent with NMFS. "That’s our objective." He said NMFS was not necessarily planning to monitor each of the valley’s ditches seasonal closure for trapped fish, but was taking it on a "case-by-case basis." "We’ve had some problems here in the past," he pointed out. More than three dozen fry, believed to be endangered spring Chinook salmon and endangered steelhead, were found in the ditch near its headgate last year. NMFS threatened to fine the MVID $55,000 for illegal taking of an endangered species, but the fine was mitigated through negotiations. The district also updated its fish screen at the Methow River headgate. MVID director Vaughn Jolley said he expected the "watering down" to take a couple of days. Opinion | Sports |
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