Keta,

There is some risk with every alternative. If the wild fish segment of a ESU is at risk of extinction, and the hatchery segment of the ESU is not, then it may take litigation to determine if the ESU can be listed. NMFS’ science center would probably say it should be listed because they are not persuaded that hatchery populations are sustainable over the long term, and therefore the ESU should be listed to protect and recover the wild segment of the ESU. (Heck, maybe wild and hatchery populations should always be listed as separate ESUs - a hatchery is a very different evolutionary environment.) A recovery team will be named that will prepare a recovery plan for each ESU, and recovery plans do include numbers necessary for de-listing.

On the other hand, Lohn may say the combined hatchery/wild ESU should not be listed according to some hearsay I heard attributed to him. Lohn was the director of the Fish and Wildlife Program at the Northwest Power Planning Council. The NPPC should be among the good guys as they spend about $200,000,000 a year of BPA funds to recover Columbia basin fish and wildlife. Unfortunately most of that money is spent on actions other than the detrimental effects of the hydropower system on fish. Probably the main reason for lack of success. The dams continue to kill fish. Nonetheless, Lohn was selected by Bush after a period of many months. I think that speaks volumes.

Off subject, Baker fluctuations. Hmmm, I don’t recall that. I would be concerned about large flow fluctuations from the Baker under these conditions pertaining to these effects: 1) Large flows during the autumn that cause chinook, pink, or chum to spawn at higher elevations than can be protected during the incubation period, especially mid-winter freezing spells with low tributary inflow. That could cause a loss of eggs or fry to freezing and or dessication. 2) Large flow fluctuations during February to June could cause the stranding of newly emerged salmon fry. 3) Large flow fluctuations in August and September could cause stranding of newly emergent steelhead fry. Hmmm, looks like large flow fluctuations from the Baker can be a potential risk any time of the year when Skagit tributary flows are fairly low. You are correct in that steelhead smolts are large enough not be affected much by hydro flow fluctuations.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.