There is heated debate going on about how Tacoma City Light and WDFW are deep-sixing the cowlitz's sport fisheries.....namely early winter steelhead and summer-runs. This all coming into play under the new FERC licensing agreement. Makes me mad as the next guy to think we'd lose these fisheries. Primarily, because it would throw added pressure on other rivers.

Alas!

I was surfing through WDFW's web site this morning, looking at their press releases when I came across this breakdown of the agreement http://www.wa.gov/wdfw/do/newreal/aug1100b.htm

Doesn't sound all that bad to me! If you'll read carefully, you'll notice it includes continued production of early winters and summers.

The only question I have is they discuss production numbers (smolts) of 650,000 pounds annually. Is this concurent with historic hatchery production levels? Or is it actually a big reduction disguised behind a seemingly big number?

Comments?