Okay, before we all get too far into bashing the tribes (again), let's get some of the facts straight. The flows in the Nisqually River are controlled by the Nisqually River Hydropower Project (Alder Dam and La Grande Dam). This project is owned and operated by Tacoma City Light. There is another much smaller project downstream (Yelm) that is owned by the City of Centralia. The tribes are neither owners, operators, or licensees for these projects. As such, they do not control the flow of the Nisqually River.

Now, I'm not saying that Tacoma City Light doesn't control the flow of the river to maximize the tribal catch. However, if they did, it would be highly unusual. In fact, it's probably outside their operating license to do so. My guess is that they couldn't care less about how and when the tribes set their nets. Their primary interest is generating electricity for their ratepayers and customers.

But I'm sure the tribes know this and are more than happy to set their nets according to Tacoma's generation schedules. More than likely, the tribes are responding to Tacoma's generation schedule, not the other way around. In this case the tail does not wag the dog.

Bash the tribes if you must because they are using gill nets, but let's not accuse them of manipulating river flows for their own purposes. They are not. Tacoma City Light is doing that. And last I knew, Tacoma City Light was run by a bunch of non-Indians that look quite a bit like you and me.

Desertdrifter has it right. Perhaps we should spend more time trying to work with the tribes on issues of mutual concern rather than continuing to bash what should be a powerful ally for the fish, the fishing, and the fishery.