Hmmm

Cowlitz.. Was there ever a request for public imput on this issue?

It seems very strange to me. Thats exactly the kinds of agreements we'd like to have down here in our rivers but we get shut out at every turn and nothing good for wild fish is happening at all. hell we have streams down here where hatchery fish are planted and the only way to remove them is by sport harvest. The agreement is a very enlightened document HOWEVER it is completely and totally misplaced. The Cowlitz should be managed just as the people want it to be and just as it has been in th past. A predominantly hatchery production/sport fishery river so that other rivers in southwest washington can be managed for wild production and restoration.
If i'd have been involved in the agreement I'd have focused on wild fish restoration in the major tributaries to the Cowlitz. Just as we are doing with the relicensing negotiations on the North Fork Lewis dams. The Cowlits has great potential for wild fish restoration but that lies in it's lower tribs, The Coweeman, Toutle etc. The main stem should be kept as it has been.
In my opinion..