I hate to say it, but there is truth to this rumor. Apparently, Koenings signed off on a document that is an "Agreement in Principal" that would basically end summer-run and early winter-run hatchery production on the Cowlitz. From what I've heard, he did it without the knowledge of the regional biologists and hatchery managers.

The document is long and very convoluted but I'll put a link to it below. I've only given it a cursory look but the plans goals seem to be boosting spring and fall chinook, cutthroat, coho and late winter-run steelhead at the expense of current hatchery practices. And the methods for boosting those other stocks seem suspect. It reads more like a pie in the sky wishlist for remaking the Cowlitz into a river full of wild fish. But I'm no expert.

I don't know all the ins and outs of the negotiations between everyone mentioned in this document. Hopefully, someone else will have a look and let us know what to make of it. It's a shame this is the first time anybody has really had a look at it.

Click here to goto a page within the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that will show a summary of the document. At the bottom of the page you'll see a link that says "35 Pages." Click on it to read the entire document.

The document is asking for an extension to July 15th to finalize it. That time might also be well spent letting Director Koenings know what you think of this plan. Drop him a line at director@dfw.wa.gov and ask why this proposal is just now being made public and what it really means.

Bruce



[This message has been edited by B. Gray (edited 05-31-2000).]