Talked to the man inside the WDF and the word is that the funding for this great summer fisheries is still in jepordy. It's on the budget but the WDF dosen't know where to get the monies. This is a rec. type activity and the powers to be need to know how popular it is so they can fund it. If Reiter is lost all of the Summer steelhead fishing in the north sound will be over. Skagit. Green Sky Snoq. etc.
Let our Legs. and Senators know how much we want these programs, If not they will be gone and once they are gone we will not get them back. It stinks i know but that's the way it is. Call ,write, and e-mail but get the word out. The squeeky wheel gets the worm.

I attended the same meeting Oscar dit (see previous Reiter posting on 1/8). This meeting was in Snohomish with WDFW Region 4 manager Bob Everitt and WDFW regional hatchery manager/biologist Doug Hatfield concerning the steelhead rearing facility at Reiter Ponds near Gold Bar. This meeting was hosted by Bob Heirman of the Snohomish County Sportsman Association. In attendance were individual sports fishers and representatives from various fishing clubs including the Steelhead Club of Washington, Everett Steelhead and Salmon Club, Overlake Fly Club, Eastside Steelheaders, Snohomish Sportsman Club and two Chapters of Trout Unlimited. Also in attendance were 39th District Representative Hans Dunshee and Larry Stickney for 39th District Representative John Koster.
Bob Everitt began the meeting by stating that production at the Reiter Ponds facility has been specifically included in the Governor's Supplemental Budget which is the good news. The bad news is that the Governor's Budget does not include any increase in funds for Reiter. What this means basically is that Reiter has been given the priority it deserves and will not be closed next year. Unfortunately, according to Bob Everitt, Reiter is now going to be another draw out of the Department's Wildlife Fund which is already grossly under budgeted. So in order to keep Reiter open, other hatcheries or programs like the trout planting program will have to be further cut.
It was brought to the attention of the group that Senator Val Stevens of the 39th District has also proposed a Bill (Senate Bill 6153) which specifically calls for Reiter to continue in production, however this measure also fails to bring any new monies into the budget.
Representative Dunshee took the floor and stated that in order to bring more money into the Wildlife Budget, concerned people again have to contact their Representatives and ask for them to lobby for more money specifically earmarked for Reiter. The supplemental budget process starts January 10th and runs for 60 days. It is imperative according to Dunshee that people contact their Representatives now. The amount of money that is needed is approximately $260,000. $130,000 for the current fiscal year and $130,000 for the next which starts in July, I believe. Representatives Dunshee, Koster and Senator Stevens are fighting for these funds however Representatives in the other districts in the Puget Sound basin need to be contacted.
I would lik to thank all of you who have worked so hard in the past in bringing the issue of Reiter Ponds to the attention of the politicians. Your work has paid off as evidenced by the Governors inclusion of Reiter in the budget. We just need to work a little bit more now and try to get some money. If we can get more funds into the Wildlife Fund then maybe WDFW will be able to provide more fishing opportunity which in turn will sell more licenses which will put more money in the Wildlife Fund etc. I would also like to take this time to thank all who help with the fin-clipping project last summer.

Gary Bee
President of the Sky Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

[This message has been edited by Beezer (edited 01-10-2000).]

It is important to contact your reps. BUT does it strike anyone funny that WDFW is not taking more of a position supporting this? I'm not at all saying they oppose funding. What I am saying is I get the feeling that they are "going with the flow" with whatever happens. Not being pro-active.

Guys, These are fish we have paid for. Why is it constantly necessary to have to convince everyone, our WDFW included, of the importance of these fisheries as a revenue generator?

Guess I'd just like to see ANY govt. group fight the good fight for the sportsmen. We continue to pay the most and get the least in returns on funding. It's getting old. All the pleas and arguments have been re-gurgitated throughout the 90's and I've not noticed any huge increases or opportunities for us.

Just venting-keep fighting!!!!!!

One of the main problems hatcheries are facing is the view point that the book "Salmon without rivers" supports. Full Hatchery removal is easy to fund, Hatchery funds are squeezed right now so the right wingers are gaining support. Speak up for your neighbors they will be knocking on your front door next. Could you post a list of emails and phone numbers of key people that need to know.

Tight lines

------------------
Marty
www.steelheader.net
marty@steelheader.net

Here are a couple of numbers you asked for. If you don't know your Represenative is go to //dfind.leg.wa.gov/

Budget Committee:
Maryann Mitchell
mitchell_ma@leg.wa.gov

Ed Murry
murry_ed@leg.wa.gov

Carolyn Edmonds
edmonds_ca@leg.wa.gov

Hans Dunshee
dunshee_ha@leg.wa.gov

Luke esser
esser_lu@leg.wa.gov

Also get on gbeezer@aol.com for a e-mailing list for things to do and who to call .

Marty, the dilemma is; the book makes sense to me, but as an avid steelheader, catching those hatchery brats has become a way of life. What can the current generation of Pacific Northwest steelheaders, like myself, hope for? Maybe, the proverbial, "hatchery reform" as a long-term solution? Possibly. But, the scientific literature hasn't been too complimentary of hatcheries lately. Right now I'm stuck as to which direction I'll be putting my political energy towards in the future. Shall I support a long-term recovery plan, minus hatcheries. Or shall I continue to enjoy those 5-7 lb lil chromers, and hope that eventually new science can replace the ecosystem. It seems that Rieter has become a symbol for the changing of management regimes. Once Rieter goes, it is likely that many other hatcheries will follow. For now, enough of us aren't willing to sacrifice the brats; so Rieter survived the political ax. Can't be sure this will be the case five years from now though.

Sorry, just venting.

If the hatcherys fishing for steelhead will be for only 2 months a year. Feb March. Maybe a little more but the point is right now we can fish for steelhead almost year round but if the hatcherys close how many months a year can you fish? The Salmon are nearly gone and what steelhead will be left will be netted. so we'll be not buying licences so who pays for the WDWF to operate?

Steelheaders aren't the only recreational fishing constituency helping fund the WDFW. In fact, I found it odd that we didn't have to pay for punchcards this year. Like I was explaining to Bob in Olympic two weeks ago; I support those white "access" stickers we stick on our vehicles. Now people like kayakers, mushroom pickers and hickers must help pay for natural resource management. They have been getting away scotfree for years, and "yes" they have been pressuring the resources the entire time. Steelheaders need to stop thinking like the fish are ours because we paid for them by purchasing a fishing license. The bottom line is we're all going to pay for the recovery of steelhead populations, whether it be destroying hatcheries in their current incarnation and helping fund for habitat restoration, or buying that steak dinner because you released a December native or Snyder Creek "hatchery" steelhead.