I'm afraid is that the benefit WDFW gets right now for not having a permit is that some activities that are in blatant violation of the ESA are going on unabated because they haven't had a permit denied because of them yet.

An obvious one is the hatchery operation on Tokul Creek...the old water withdrawal dam there is blocking upstream passage of ESA listed Chinook.

Not really any ifs, ands, or buts about that one...yet, there it is right in the middle of the river.

I'm sure there are more, that is just one off the top of my head that is an obvious and easy one that I know has ruffled WT/WFC's feathers in the past.

Fish on...

Todd