Larry B, you can see a short status report on this population in the latest Co-Managers PS Chinook harvest management plan. The stock history can be found in the management unit profiles in Appendix A of the plan. While it lacks some details that I remember it gives a decent summary. I believe the original "recovery goal" that you refer to has nothing to do with the current recovery goal/ESA delisting goal established for this population, but is only based on an MOU between WDFW and south Puget Sound tribes that was put together in the late 1980's. By my recollection (sometimes marginal), that original recovery goal only referenced escapement of NOR's and fish from acclimation ponds on the White River in the goal. It did not require meeting any kind of standard for productivity or spatial structure that would help to ensure the viability of the population. It also required some level of normal fisheries for both of the co-managers in front of this escapement for the "recovery goal" to be met. I would guess that those fishery goals (although I am doubtful if those were ever really defined) have never been achieved even if the escapement goals have. So, whether or not this previous recovery goal might have been attained, I don't think it has any bearing on what is happening currently.

Another consideration regarding the marking and harvest of the White River hatchery fish is their status under the ESA. By my recollection (sketchy as the years pass), the hatchery component of this population was deemed to be "essential for recovery," just like any naturally spawning fish from the White River. That fact alone would seem to complicate a directed harvest on them.