Jim,

I never expect a straight answer from a politician, but it's worth a try. And it often offers considerable entertainment value, even if it's a bit perverse.

Gov. Locke has adopted a policy of salmon extinction is not an option. Would they have the same policy, or would they actually go on record with the consideration that extinction is an option, at least for some fish populations?

The Governor's Salmon Task Force prepare a report called the Statewide Strategy to Recover Salmon and Steelhead. The Independent Science Panel reviewed it and said the objectives are good, but that the plan mainly proposes more of the same actions that have already failed and got us into this mess of ESA listings in the first place. What would these candidates do differently? (BTW, the proposed more of same actions are largely voluntary and by local groups and governments, so it would be invaluable to know what, if anything, these candidates might do differently.)

Fish hatcheries are currently a hot topic. Some hatchery funds are derived from user fees (sport and commercial licenses and taxes), but most of the money comes from the general fund. What position do the candidates have on subsidizing commercial fishing? Recreational fishing?

If it costs $40 dollars to create a particular hatchery salmon, and a commercial fisherman can sell it for only 15 or $20, would they still favor subsidizing that commercial fishery? (This assumes they answered affirmative to the previous question.)

How would they address or solve a clash between fish and water diversion? Let's illustrate with a hypothetical example. A certain stream has an annual low flow of 100 cfs. Diverters use traditional inefficient irrigation methods and divert 90 cfs to meet an actual 20 to 30 cfs irrigation need for water on the ground for crops. Salmon need at least 60 cfs just to maintain an existence in the stream, and they would need all 100 cfs to be restored to a healthy abundance that would provide harvestable numbers of fish to the public. Obviously there is no simple solution to this example, but I think it does characterize some of the situations that exist on our eastern Washington rivers. What would they do?

Do have fun with the Senator and the candidates!

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

P.S. No hard feelings regarding the personal info issue from the other day.