An interesting idea and it is encouraging to see folks attempting to put together an integrated management approach and think a bit outside of the box.

That said not sure how practical that the portfolio approach would be on north Puget Sound rivers. A successful integrated hatchery (wild brood stock) on most of those rivers would be very difficult; to the point of not being practical. Brood stock, fish culture and management issues on a system like the Stillaguamish would very difficult with the resulting hatchery program being poorly integrated. In addition HSRG guidelines for allowable interactions (for example the portion of hatchery spawners in the natural spawning population) are such that the size of the hatchery program would be so limited as to provide limit fishing opportunities. At the same time the ESA steelhead would remain in jeopardy.

Without a doubt the single best candidate for an segregated hatchery program in the State was the Skagit which of course still remains off the table due to the WFC/WDFW settlement.

Curt