The Cedar River sockeye hatchery is funded by Seattle Public Utilities (Water) as mitigation for projects on the Cedar River. It was pushed by the Muckleshoot Tribe and I think PSA. Last I saw, the hatchery itself functions quite well. It is modeled after the successful programs on the Baker and those in Alaska. What the hatchery and Seattle Public Utilities have no control over is the Lake Washington ecosystem. Between a changing environment and more predators that are not favorable to sockeye, the hatchery may never have a chance to live up to public expectations.

The funds cannot be turned over to WDFW for alternate species or uses because Seattle does not fund WDFW.