Ramon is correct that I jumped the gun claiming the HC summer chum hatchery program is a success in recovering the stock. At this time, it appears successful, but I agree that the final test requires that these fish naturally sustain themselves for a couple generations. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of time to get complete answers to most fishery questions.

I think Dave is correct that the proposed policy is designed to allow the administration the leeway to delist, or at least fail to protect, wild salmon and steelhead. This is consistent with agency rumors that the Administration is not satisfied that Lohn hasn’t delisted species. Renewed efforts at delisting are envisioned after the election, and there is a strategy to achieve delisting. The proposed policy is consistent with that strategy, but not the only part of it.

Kjackson,

WT and others are reasonably skeptical of Bush Administration policy proposals. Saving wild salmon and steelhead is directly at odds with the Administration’s approach to natural resource conservation and utilization. Recovering wild fish requires reversing the trend of steadily increasing per capita consumption of scarce resources, such that we each use less water and energy, on average. The Administration’s approach is to increase development of water, land, energy to keep pace with increasing demand per capita and an increasing population. Salmon won’t be recovered on the Columbia system by increasing irrigation and energy production.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.