Well maybe we did stir up the pot a little with 696. I DID get a reply to an email I sent to WDFW.
November 1, 1999

Thank you for your email correspondence to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Director Koenings has reviewed your message regarding commercial fishing in south Puget Sound and asked me to respond directly to you.

You expressed interest in the study of south Puget Sound and possible changes in the habitat and asked if we would be including a review of bottom trawling in the study.

We will include commercial fishing as part of the review. However, it is unlikely that bottom trawling is a significant factor in the coho decline as trawling has not been allowed in southern Puget Sound for over 10 years.

Thank you for your interest in this study.

Sincerely,
Greg Bargmann
Fish Program

It may be BS, or "toss the kid some candy" but at least it is a reply. Keep up the correspondence, let 'em know we are here and will not go away.

Gray beard