This is not the first RMP that has been developed for PS Chinook Hatcheries since the ESA listing, though it may be the first one to be officially submitted for NMFS approval.

Since approval of the plan essentially amounts to a pre-approval that activities won't violate the ESA, or a permit to violate the ESA within certain parameters, it still requires the approval of the NMFS. Simply submitting the plan is not enough.

Here's to hoping it is of sufficient quality to get approved. If it is, then WT, WDFW, NWIFC, NMFS, sportfishermen, and commercial fishermen all get what they wanted, which is an effective, legally operated, hatchery system.

Fish on...

Todd.