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Methow Valley News December 16, 1999 Endangered Species Coverage Fish and Wildlife hears testimony on river closures Decision on proposed fishing bans expected in February By Craig Northrup The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife listened to more than three and a half hours of testimony last weekend, testimony that was mainly in protest to the proposed closure of the Methow, Okanogan, Entiat and Wenatchee rivers to most fishing. Flyfishing groups from around the state—including members of the Methow Valley Fly Fishers—attended the meeting, and a flood of written testimony was also taken, according to Pat Michaelson, spokesperson for Fish and Wildlife. Michaelson said she would take all the testimony gathered and summarize it before the commission votes in February. The commission will vote Feb. 5 on whether or not to close the Methow, Okanogan, Entiat and Wenatchee rivers for at least one season to sportfishing, a move that drew criticism from throughout the fishing community. The original proposal was to close the Methow altogether for fish restoration, but local anglers rallied and offered an alternative that would close the upper tributaries and the lower portion of the river. Biologists from Fish and Wildlife sold off on the proposal, offering it to the commission over the weekend. An emergency session of the Methow Valley Fly Fishers was scheduled for Tuesday (Dec. 14) to discuss their next move. Opinion | Sports |
Local Interest |