The following message was sent to some folks at WDFW. I've rec'd a preliminary response and it is posted below.
**********
Good afternoon, all

I've just seen a posting that the Marblemount Hatchery is taking a 64% cut in steelhead smolt production and losing two FTE positions. That is a pretty hefty hit for a recreational fishery that brings a lot of dollars into the local economy and provides a lot of recreational opportunity to the I-5 corridor fishers.

Can you verify the information and let us (SCPAG) know what is behind the cuts? What are the long range plans? What changes might be faced for other fish production at the facility? Will/can the lost production be picked up at another facility?
********************
The response I rec'd:


It's true that there is a potential for Skagit hatchery steelhead to be cut. I don't know all the details so I asked Pat Frazier and Kirt Hughes (Region 4 fish program managers) to give you the latest status via e-mail.
********
I'll pass along what I get.