WT sued WDFW to force compliance with ESA rules concerning hatcheries. By Ramon's own admission they sued for the only provision they could sue for, the "take" portion. On May 9th , 2003 the Settlement Agreement was signed by Kurt Beardslee of Washington Trout and Ernest L. Rushing, senior assistant Attorney General for the state of Washington. On May 12th,2003 Bill Bakke, Director of the Native Fish Society, co-plaintiff. also signed along with all of the other defendants. Jeffrey Koenings, director of WDFW signed for himself and also signed for all of the WDFW commissioners who were also personally named in the suit.

This lawsuit only deals with hatcheries. The settlement is 14 pages long and should be read in its entirity by interested parties. Perhaps other future defendants can learn something from this strategy. The same group of folks are circling their wagons to sue in Oregon.

There is a provision called : "SUPPORT" which states as follows: " The Parties agree to support this Agreement and not make public statements inconsistent with the spirit of this Agreement."