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Methow Valley News June 29, 2000 Endangered Species Coverage Hatchery policies under review States file suit against NMFS quotas by Lee Hicks Hatchery policies continue to be a major focus of endangered species discussions after a decision not to kill "surplus" spring Chinook salmon this year. Top officials, along with representatives of the Methow Basin Watershed Planning Unit, met at Wenatchee’s Pangborn Field June 21 at the urging of state Rep. Linda Evans Parlette, R-12th. Parlette said after the meeting that she hoped the session would create a dialogue between all entities involved in endangered fish and water issues including hatchery policies. "It was helpful for the agencies to hear an explanation of the difficulties of local people as they try to do the right thing." The session came after growing opposition to an original plan by federal and state hatchery managers to "cull" so-called Carson stock hatchery spring Chinook at Winthrop hatcheries. The plan had been promoted by National Marine Fisheries Service as a way to aid the rebuilding of "Methow composite" fish, which the agency considers "wild fish" listed under definitions of the Endangered Species Act. But opponents, including influential Native tribes, argued the policy would result in killing some listed fish as well as the Carson stock. Tribes also wanted the fish planted in the Okanogan basin where they could be used to re-establish runs. Agency fish officials later announced they would consider relocating some Carson stock fish after taking eggs for broodstock at the Winthrop hatcheries. The decision not to kill surplus fish was based in part on lower returns than predicted of spring Chinook beyond Wells Dam. Methow watershed unit chairman Dick Ewing said it was "really amazing" that Parlette got all the top fisheries officials including key biologists together at the Pangborn meeting. Ewing said he came away with the impression that, "there are really no wild fish," and that the agencies are trying to build a case for "Methow composite" stock as a wild fish. Ewing also said there appear to be questions whether, "the ESA is actually getting in the way of normal hatchery management." Federal and state officials told the News last week they hoped to have a policy statement on hatchery fish within a few weeks. The Carson stock are descended from fish that were captured at Rock Island Dam in the 1940s, raised at the federal hatchery in Leavenworth and transported to the Winthrop hatchery to spawn. In the 1970s the stock were planted at the new Carson hatchery on the lower Columbia. Meanwhile, the states of Oregon and Washington have gone to federal court in Portland seeking an injunction to prevent NMFS from using "incidental take" provisions of the ESA as a basis for setting separate procedures for tribal and state fishing quotas. The states’ fisheries agencies said NMFS action forced closures of recreational and non-tribal fishing on the Columbia River mainstem this year, and may lead to similar restrictions this fall. This year NMFS allowed a take of no more than 9 percent of endangered upper Columbia River spring Chinook in winter and spring fisheries. The tribes were allowed 8.5 percent with the balance of 0.5 percent to the states. A joint statement by fisheries agencies of the states said, "The authority of NMFS should be limited to determining the levels of protection for ESA-listed fish when conducting fisheries of other healthy fish stocks." In the Methow basin, many residents have questioned allowing any take of spring Chinook in the lower Columbia while NMFS enforces restrictions on irrigators. In other recent activities related to fish and water: —The Methow Basin Watershed Planning Unit is sponsoring publication in this week’s Methow Valley News of the full text of the latest draft agreement with federal and state agencies. The planning unit is set to resume negotiations July 6 at 9 a. m. at the Twisp Forest Service conference room. The planning unit will meet the evening before from 6 to 9 p.m. at the same location. —NMFS has released its "4d rules" for fish listed as threatened in the Northwest under the Endangered Species Act. The rules generally favor local efforts to develop programs aimed at preventing harm to salmon and bull trout. Unlike in the Methow basin, with steelhead trout and spring Chinook listed as endangered, the requirements under Section 4d allow more flexibility. Environmentalists have criticized the rules for allowing too much latitude by local officials. But proponents say allowing greater local control will likely result in more support by those affected by the regulations. —Sen. Bob Morton, R-12th, joined other members of the Senate Natural Resources Committee on a tour Friday (June 23) of several Methow sites related to endangered fish issues. Morton was joined by senators Ken Jacobsen, D-Seattle; Bob Oke, R-Port Orchard; and Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch. The group visited Skyline and Wolf Creek irrigation areas and the Winthrop fish hatcheries after an earlier morning tour of Salmon Creek in the Okanogan basin. —Attorney Peter Fraley, representing Skyline and Early Winters irrigation ditches, said Friday (June 23) that his clients plan to "exhaust every conceivable avenue" before proceeding with litigation related to NMFS biological opinions. Skyline and Early Winters are among the more than dozen basin ditches that divert water in part on Forest Service land, and are thus subject to "Section 7" consultations among federal agencies under the ESA. June 19 also marked the end of a 60-day notice by attorneys for local activist Lee Bernheisel and environmental groups to file suit forcing NMFS to release final biological opinions. After more than a year after saying some ditches jeopardized listed fish, NMFS has yet to issue final opinions. Officials say the delay is due to continuing refinement of data in talks with ditches. Opinion | Sports |
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