Silverhilton
"hactheries don't work as mitigation strategies"?
The first thing that comes to mind is habitat. When I worked at Cowlitz the #1 thing we fought on a daily basis was water temp. That is a habitat issue!
Sure the hatchery system has not had stellar success as a mitigation strategy, but is it entirely the fault of the hatchery system? Or is it GENERALY making the best of a bad situation? I do firmly believe that WDFW has not done an even passable job and way to many directors and other management types have worried more about their next appointment than the issues at hand.
And I would even agree that a major houscleaning is in order. However the bulk of the bio's and fish culturists that work in the system are trying to do the best they can with what they have, and beat their heads against the wall on a daily basis. This suit to me seems to be throwing the baby out with the bathwater! I have not seen data to back up the WT theory and basis for this action and I have seen considerable data refuting it.
the entire crux of your argument lies in the fact that we do not have healthy river systems, along with myriad other problems. I can't see how shutting down hatcheries can help. I do understand how launching this suit and settling can accomplish goals for WT, some of wich I may agree with, but in this context I see it as counterproductive to the issue at hand. It might even be said that you(WT) are trying to crucify a group that has the best interest of the fish at hand...