HLA,

So you believe you were screwed by the FTC because they were examining ideas to develop a public involvement process? That process was not originally in the settlement agreement, but it was added to the license. I would think you would deem that a good thing. I’m not sure I understand you. The PIP is a means of communicating with the public about the project’s license implementation. You can comment on the draft fishery and hatchery management plan. If your ideas are both good AND consistent with the license and represent a majority of public input, then your ideas have a good chance of being added to the plan. Isn’t that what you want? If you want to change the settlement agreement or the license articles, then you’re late. Those can only be over-turned by the legal action that CFM refers to in his post.

It appears you’re trying to identify a contradiction between the FTC minutes and my suggestion that you review and comment on the draft F&HMP. I don’t see the contradiction. Comments on this draft plan are a way for the public to influence future fish and hatchery management on the Cowlitz, BUT that influence is confined to operating within the terms and conditions set forth in the settlement agreement and license. Hence, you won’t be able to “sway” the settlement agreement or license, as it’s already finished. But many details of the fishery program remain to be worked out. And a good idea doesn't care who has it.

More to the point, what is it that you want that you are not getting, that Tacoma, or somebody, is required to give you? I’ve repeatedly indicated that Tacoma is not required to provide the kind of fishery that you might happen to desire. What they are required to do is covered by law. Independent from the relicensing, the ESA would have caused changes to the fisheries programs on the Cowlitz that most of us would not have anticipated. If you want more than that, or something different, well what can I say except, good luck?

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

P.S: I heard Bill left the FTC because he no longer works for TU.