H20

H20

I hope that you didn't drink to many beers before you started pi$$ing up that rope!

And now the "Snow Ball" then becomes a huge avalanche

Now even Todd will be getting a little more concerned. He knows the power of the Tribes!
You may screw with the little guy in Forks, but once the tribes steps in the game is almost over!


Quileute Tribal Council

O2 March 2004

Chairman Will Roehl
Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission
600 Capital Way North
Olimpia, WA 98501-1091

RE: Quileute Tribal Concerns with the Commission's Wild Steelhead Position


Dear Chairman Roehl:

This letter is being sent to you today to let you know that our government is still evaluating the impacts of the recently announced moratorium on retention of wild steelhead by non-tribal sports fishermen. While that evaluation is underway, we did want to raise a few concerns about the approach utilized by the Commission in the adoption of this moratorium.

First, as you are aware, we are the co managers of the fishery for the entire Quillayute watershed. As such, under various Bolt decisions, there is an obligation by the State as co-managers to consult with the Quileute Tribe in regards to any actions that could impact the management of wild steelhead on this watershed. We are unaware of any efforts by the commission or WDFW to have prior consultation with the Quileute Tribe on this action.

Second, we are also concerned that the general public, tribal or non-tribal, did not have an opportunity to comment on the adopted moratorium. We note that the proposed rule packet for sports fishing regulations did not indicate any proposed statewide moratorium on wild steelhead. It is also extremely interesting to note that the same packet had some comments regarding such an idea in section labeled "2004-05 Sports fishing Proposals not Included for Public Comment." The reason for not including this for public discussion and hearing was that the Commission considered this during the last major regulation change cycle and did not adopt it because it was too soon to re-adress this issue.

Management terms under the 1981 court case known as Hoh vs. Baldrige decision, determined that salmon on the Quillayute, Hoh, Queets and grays harbor has provided the necessary conservation needed for each individual system and has proven itself. We suggest that the commission consider the benefits on such an approach to steelhead management.

In addition, not allowing non-tribal wild steelhead retention on the Quillayute System will likely produce escapements that would reduce survival per spawner by exceeding carrying capacity, create waste concerns and potentially raise racial criticisms towards tribes that do not adopt similar management restrictions.

Third, and finally, we reserve any and all rights our Tribes and its members have under treaty with regards to this issue.

Again, we are currently reviewing this issue to determine what action we may need to purse that would protect the best interests of our government our people and our resources.


Sincerely,

Russell Woodruff,
Chairman