Washington Trout continues to stand by its position: WDFW's Puget Sound hatchery programs do more harm than good. If current practices can not be significantly improved in order to eliminate or at least minimize current impacts, they should be discontinued.

While our preliminary reviews of the HGMPs lead us to believe that WDFW's current plans are insufficient to effectively minimise those impacts, we remain open to hearing substantive responses to our concerns. We believe this new process holds promise for improving hatchery practices in Puget Sound, and we are committed to giving it a fair chance to work.

WT staff have been visiting hatchery sites for about a week, analysing impacts from water diversions, intake screens, discharges, etc. We are also reviewing fertilization, incubation, and rearing facilities and practices.

Ramon Vanden Brulle
Washington Trout