Well now that the cat is out of the bag about how we all have gotten screwed on the Cowlitz River Settlement Agreement, and everybody now knows that the hatchery production of "harvestable fish" has been cut way back, where will "you go" to harvest your next fish?

Will it be the "Lewis River". . . I don't think so!

That is the next biggest hatchery producer, other then the Cowlitz that fishermen have been used to count on for their harvest opportunity of hatchery fish.

Do you fishermen know that the Lewis is going through a "relicensing process" just as the Cowlitz has done in 2000?

Many, if not all, none- governmental organizations and the State and Federal agencies are the same people, and organizations who had created the "doomsday" Settlement Agreement for the Cowlitz River. They are also the same people who will be drafting the fishery "Settlement Agreement" for the Lewis River! The deals are coming down now that in all likelihood will make the Lewis River Settlement a carbon copy of the Cowlitz Settlement Agreement when it comes to "hatchery production" and harvest.

Are all of you fishermen willing to accept the same screwed up kind of settlement agreement that we got stuck with on the Cowlitz? If not, you better bust your butts now because they are talking settlement soon! American Rivers and TU will surely be the major non governmental players who will claim to represent the interests of the fishermen once again.

If you do not believe that these groups represent you, or you're fishing interests, you better start complaining "yesterday"! You can start now by emailing your complaints and concerns to "Stofiel, Veronica" Veronica.Stofiel@PacifiCorp.com

Tell her that you are not happy with the Settlement that was done on the Cowlitz and that you want to make sure that the Lewis is not handled in the same way!

If you need more information and you need the State and Federal peoples email and names, just make your request on this thread, and I will try to give you the names and emails that I have access to.

Fishermen,

You have one final opportunity now to put a stick into their "wheels" before they do to the same thing to the Lewis as what they did to all of us on the Cowlitz!

It's time for our boards "experts" like Salmo G to step up and tell this board what he foresees will be happening to the Lewis hatcheries and its sport fishery BEFORE it's to late for the fishermen to step in and demand changes!

This is a personal challenge to Salmo G, from the Cowlitzfisherman; Salmo, please inform this board on what is being proposed on the Lewis BEFORE it happens and Settlement Agreement is signed or drafted!

The public needs to see and review all the Settlement drafts BEFORE the State, Federal, or other organizations sign it and make it a done deal- just like what had happen on the Cowlitz!

Make sure that you ash Veronica to put you onto their emailing list, and to please send you any and all copies of any "draft" settlements proposals that will effect the fishery production on the Lewis. Do not count on, or think that your state and federal agencies will protect your sport fishing interests. They may have their own agenda, and it may differ from that of yours or mind. Do not let this fall through the cracks like the Cowlitz Settlement did!

That "Settlement" Agreement happened almost overnight once it was drafted, and I suspect that this one will do the same!

Good luck fishermen!

You will need it! The time is now "ripe for you" to jump in and demand to be heard!

Cowlitzfisherman