Solleks, This letter is from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. When the state told the Hoh Tribe the run was below escapement The Hoh tribe insisted on fishing. If this continues this river will have no more fish.

In 2000, the wild run of spring/summer chinook is predicted to be below the escapement floor of 900 fish. The WDFW did not agree with the original fishing proposal by the Tribe and argued that without an agreement, no fisheries could be allowed. The Tribe argued that they were entitled to some level of fishing as long as the run was not at a conservation level. The Tribe requested a Fisheries Advisory Board (FAB) hearing with the Court appointed chairman, Dr. Howard Horton. We met with the Tribe at the FAB and arrived at the fishery plan stated below, outside the FAB proceeding. Fishing opportunity in future years will depend on whether this run continues on a downward trend.