Please support legislation that will improve hatchery management and improve the chances for salmon recovery.

Washington Democratic Congressman Norm Dicks has recently passed legislation that would require 100% marking for hatchery salmon and steelhead produced by federal hatcheries and state or tribal hatcheries that accept federal funding. Since, he has encountered resistance from federal agencies and some stakeholders. He met with state, tribal, and federal representatives on Mar 17 to discuss their concerns and objections.

Mass marking hatchery salmon and steelhead is essential in order to manage fisheries and hatchery production in a manner at all consistent with the recovery of ESA-listed stocks.

Washington Trout, Native Fish Society, the Audubon Society, and the Wild Steelhead Coalition have sent a letter to Congressman Dicks outlining our support for his legislation. We are urging others to contact the congressman as well; he needs to know that his proposal enjoys wide support, and that his program rests on a technically credible foundation.

Congressman Dicks' legislation has been passed and signed, but passing legislation is often a long way from implementing it. State legislation and WDFW policy have mandated mass marking in Washington since 1995, and yet we still don't have 100% hatchery marking. The folks who met with the congressman yesterday don't appear to presume this is a done deal. It likely is not.

Don't let another attempt to get all these fish marked fall through the cracks. Contact the congressman and let him know you support his federal requirement for mass marking, you're still paying attention, and you want to see the mass-marking program fully funded and implemented. You can email him through his website at http://www.house.gov/dicks/ or mail, fax, or call his offices at:

WASHINGTON, D.C.
2467 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-5916 [voice]
(202) 226-1176 [fax]

PIERCE COUNTY
1717 Pacific Ave. Suite 2244
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 593-6536 [voice]
(253) 593-6551 [fax]

Thanks for your support. To find out more about hatchery management, wild salmon and steelhead recovery, or Washington Trout, visit www.washingtontrout.org.

Ramon Vanden Brulle, Communications Director
Washington Trout
PO Box 402
Duvall, WA 98019
425/788-1167 x222; fax 425/788-9634
ramon@washingtontrout.org
www.washingtontrout.org