Mostly I lurk. But with a buzz on tonight, I feel compelled to predict the future. I have read most of the hatchery dialog recently and I think I can relate to most of the sides of the argument. I think Aunty M and others that are repulsed by WT will end up supporting them. Like Aunty M, I don't want the hatcheries closed but I dont believe that WT does either. Those of you that damn WT for sueing WDFW to close the hatcheries need to understand a few things about motivating any government entity to change.
1. Very few legal actions end up with anybody getting what they asked for in the beginning.
2. Most legal actions are settled out of court, immediatley prior to the first day of the trial.
3. If you think that WDFW is going to sit down with you or any group without a pending lawsuit, smoke the peace pipe and consider changing their hatchery practices----well, have another hit cause it aint gonna happen.
4. WDFW will respond to this legal action.
5. WDFW has proven over and over that they would rather play politics and suffice the short term goals of the special interests over making the hard choices and letting the science dictate what is right for the longterm good of the resouce.
6. WT will make a strong case that the current hatchery practices are bad for wild and ESA fish.
7. The court will not close the hatcheries.
So whats left?
The legal action will force WDWF to review and possibly improve their hatchery practices even if this never gets to trial. In the longrun, WT will be the heroes not the bad guys. Those of you that want to catch more fish in the short term regardless of the longterm consequenses and are "alienated" by WT's lawsuit will get a much needed lesson in Biology, Political Science and Civil Law. Many more of us sport fisherman will support the dedication of any pro-resource group, like WT, that is willing to do what they think is right for the fish regardless of who gets to kill what because of it. Hooray for WT