I attended the same meeting Oscar dit (see previous Reiter posting on 1/8). This meeting was in Snohomish with WDFW Region 4 manager Bob Everitt and WDFW regional hatchery manager/biologist Doug Hatfield concerning the steelhead rearing facility at Reiter Ponds near Gold Bar. This meeting was hosted by Bob Heirman of the Snohomish County Sportsman Association. In attendance were individual sports fishers and representatives from various fishing clubs including the Steelhead Club of Washington, Everett Steelhead and Salmon Club, Overlake Fly Club, Eastside Steelheaders, Snohomish Sportsman Club and two Chapters of Trout Unlimited. Also in attendance were 39th District Representative Hans Dunshee and Larry Stickney for 39th District Representative John Koster.
Bob Everitt began the meeting by stating that production at the Reiter Ponds facility has been specifically included in the Governor's Supplemental Budget which is the good news. The bad news is that the Governor's Budget does not include any increase in funds for Reiter. What this means basically is that Reiter has been given the priority it deserves and will not be closed next year. Unfortunately, according to Bob Everitt, Reiter is now going to be another draw out of the Department's Wildlife Fund which is already grossly under budgeted. So in order to keep Reiter open, other hatcheries or programs like the trout planting program will have to be further cut.
It was brought to the attention of the group that Senator Val Stevens of the 39th District has also proposed a Bill (Senate Bill 6153) which specifically calls for Reiter to continue in production, however this measure also fails to bring any new monies into the budget.
Representative Dunshee took the floor and stated that in order to bring more money into the Wildlife Budget, concerned people again have to contact their Representatives and ask for them to lobby for more money specifically earmarked for Reiter. The supplemental budget process starts January 10th and runs for 60 days. It is imperative according to Dunshee that people contact their Representatives now. The amount of money that is needed is approximately $260,000. $130,000 for the current fiscal year and $130,000 for the next which starts in July, I believe. Representatives Dunshee, Koster and Senator Stevens are fighting for these funds however Representatives in the other districts in the Puget Sound basin need to be contacted.
I would lik to thank all of you who have worked so hard in the past in bringing the issue of Reiter Ponds to the attention of the politicians. Your work has paid off as evidenced by the Governors inclusion of Reiter in the budget. We just need to work a little bit more now and try to get some money. If we can get more funds into the Wildlife Fund then maybe WDFW will be able to provide more fishing opportunity which in turn will sell more licenses which will put more money in the Wildlife Fund etc. I would also like to take this time to thank all who help with the fin-clipping project last summer.

Gary Bee
President of the Sky Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

[This message has been edited by Beezer (edited 01-10-2000).]