If WDFW doesn't release hatchery steelhead in 2016 they lose a year class of a stock that is basically on a 3-year life cycle. Almost, but not quite, an irretrievable commitment of an (almost) irreplaceable resource. Releasing the hatchery fish may harm, emphasis on the m-a-y, wild steelhead, but won't constitute an irretrieveable commitment. If NMFS can't approve the requisite HGMP by the needed release date, I think WDFW should just go ahead and release the hatchery fish and see what action NMFS takes, if any. If WFC takes WDFW to court for releasing fish without the HGMP, WDFW is in the same situation they already are, and WDFW can tell the judge that the state cannot assume responsibility for NMFS' lack of timeliness. It probably wouldn't hurt to tell the judge that a fundamental key to intelligent tinkering is to first save all the parts. And all this hatchery and HGMP and related actions are tinkering, intelligent and otherwise.

Aha, just re-read the thread title, this is about the recovery plan, not the HGMP. Even less of a deal. Recovery plans take time. Lots of time, trying to get as many stakeholders on board as possible. For instance, the PS chinook recovery plan was finished, for all intents and purposes, in 2007. However the Hood Canal and Skokomish part still isn't complete because the major stakeholders haven't yet reached agreement.

Sg