The WSC just recieved this from Sean-

Attention: Anybody concerned with saving wild steelhead

A travesty is about to happen in the Chehalis River Basin


The Quinault Indian Nation has set a tribal netting schedule for the lower Chehalis River for 5 days a week until April 13 to net wild steelhead. This has not been done in the past!!!!!!! This schedule has been done in coordination with and in agreement with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife even though they are responsible for managing and preserving our fish resources.


The reason the WDFW is doing this is to trade steelhead for salmon. The trade will be between the tribe and the state to allow the white commercial salmon fisherman to have more days gillnetting Grays Harbor and the Chehalis this upcoming year.


The state has a responsibility to save the wild steelhead in the Chehalis River Basin. All the rivers in this basin are wild steelhead catch and release. Many of the rivers do not meet their “Healthy” escapement goals. Now as the WDFW and Fish and Wildlife commission talk about a wild steelhead moratorium they agree to let the Quinault Tribe destroy one of the last healthy runs of wild steelhead on the west coast.


Call these people and complain, call your legislators, call the governor and by all means call now because in the next few weeks the wild steelhead run will reach its peak in the Chehalis River and they will all be DEAD!!!!!!


Commission Members




Will Roehl, Bellingham

Ron Ozment, Cathlament

Dr. Kenneth Chew, Seattle

John A Hunter, Cashmere

Holly Ledgerwood, Pomeroy

Lisa Pelly, Bainbridge Island

Dr J Pete Schroeder, Sequim

Fred Shiosaki, Spokane

Bob Tuck, Selah


Phone: (360) 902-2267

Email: commission@dfw.wa.gov


Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff to Call:


Jeff Koenigs
Director
(360) 902-2225

Larry Peck
Deputy Director
(360) 902-2650

Phil Anderson
Intergovernmental Staff Director
(360) 902-2720

Lew Atkins
Assistant Director, Fish Program
(360) 902-2651

Pat Patillo
Fish Policy Coordinator
(360) 902-2750

Ross Fuller
Fish Management Manager
(360) 902-2655

Bop Leland
Steelhead Program Manager
(360) 902-2817