These guys stay busy...

http://wildfishconservancy.org/about/pre...sound-steelhead

As long as NOAA and WDFW continue to not meet legal requirements they leave themselves open to process suits they can't win. By not meeting legal requirements NOAA and WDFW ensure that there will never be clear decisions based on science. Keep calm and muddle on.

Well, the chickens (WFC) have finally come home to roost (on NOAA's doorstep). How does WFC see this playing out? Should WDFW concurrently sue NOAA seeking Court approval to continue early run plantings pending the completion of the current process?

Yes, it does seem like a daytime soap.

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

The chances of this going to court is relatively slim. The odds are a settlement will be made that involves paying-off WFC's attorneys with tax dollars, slapping NOAA on the wrist and effectively putting an end to the 5 Chambers programs.

Consequently, the HGMPs for these programs have been approved -- it's a matter of the EIS being completed in the remaining amount of time between now and May 15.

This is a blatant action on the part of WFC and their allies to throw a wrench in the final approval of the steelhead programs. Although a PS steelhead recovery doesn't have much bearing on the final approval of the programs, WFC is well aware this intent to sue will pull the 3-5 people working on the EIS off their task at-hand to focus on a potential lawsuit.

Well played, WFC. Well played.

Just as pushing hard and forcing a formal EIS delayed the process and demanded more public resources thereby making NOAA more delinquent etc., etc., etc.

Not to mention the handful of other filings by WFC since July.

Once again...

does the Bearded Weasel care that as his lawyers are busily working away on the next round of lawsuits, the tribes are pulling dead wild steel out of their gill nets and throwing them in the tubs?

Along the same lines as funding the tribal casinos and their river rape......... Here's a list of WFC supporters that was posted up here last year. If you're really that passionately against the WFC, you should probably be against all of these supporters. Without funding, they lose a lot of power.

2013 Wild Fish Soirée & Benefit Auction Donors

Through their generous and thoughtful support, these donors have demonstrated their commitment to the Northwest’s wild fish by donating goods and services to the 2013 Wild Fish Soiree & Benefit Auction. Support the businesses that support wild fish and consider them when making future purchases.

Acappella Safarissearun cutt

Angler's Book Supply

Angler's Sport Group

Anthony's Restaurants

Arch Anglers

Argosy CruisesChateau St Michelle 2

Cliff Barker

Kurt & Candace Beardslee

Bellevue Club

Belltown Billiards

Bonnier Corporation

Steve BroccoRooster Fish

C.F. Burkheimer

Cabelas

Café Lago

Cape Resort

Carol Carlson

Cascade Kennels Inc.

Chateau Ste Michelle Vineyards & WineriesClayoquot Resort

Bill Chinn

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort

Columbia Sportswear

David Crabb

Confluence Fly Shop

Bob DelabarSafari 1

DeLille Cellars

Deschutes Angler

Dr. Slick

Duvall Books

Jeff Edvalds Photography

Elliot Bay Books

F.X. McRory'sthe place smugglers

FarBank Enterprises (Redington)

FarBank Enterprises (Sage)

Filson

FishEyeGuy Photography

Frank Amato Publications

The Estate of Fritz Gerds

Nick Gayeskiherbfarm

Jamie Glasgow

Globe Pequot Press

Icicle Outfitters & Guides, Inc.

The Herbfarm

John Howie Restaurants - John Howie Steak, Seastar, Sport

Sand Lamoreux

Jim & Paulette Lichatowich

The Estate of Harry Lemire

Little Stone Fly Fisher/Bob TriggsLemire

Ralph Lloyd

Lost River Winery

Craig Lynch

Magic Waters Patagonia

Holly Magowan & The Estate of Rosemary Weise

Jeff Martin

Bill & Lynn McMillan

Bruce & Jeanne McNae

Montana Fly Companymagic waters

Narrows Brewing Co.

Ed Newbold

Northwest Film Forum

Northwest Outdoor Center

Pacific Science Center

Patagonia

PCC Natural Markets

Publishers Mailing Service & Jeff Jensen

Quintessential Gourmet

Ray's Boathouse, Cafe & Catering

Royal Wulff Productsswell

Sazerac Co.

Seattle Repertory Theater

Seattle Symphony

Shelter Restaurant

John Sowinski

Stackpole Bookslittle stone

George Suyama

Suyama Peterson Deguchi

Temple Fork Outfitters

Tofino Swell Lodge

Marilyn & Craig Tuohy

Michael UeharaWaterfall Resort Alaska

W Seattle Hotel

The Estate of Thad Wardall

Waterfall Resort Alaska

Bev Watt

Bill White

Wild River PressDeschutes Rod Reel

Wilderness Safaris

Woodinville Printing

Wright & McGill Co

For the record, exactly where in PS are tribes pulling wild steelhead out of gillnets in the first 10 days of December? I ask because due to formerly very efficient recreational and treaty fisheries that mopped up however many wild steelhead were mixed in with the abundant hatchery runs, hardly any wild steelhead enter rivers prior to the first of the year these days.

Lower and Middle Skagit.... obviously with lower flows.

That's a heck of a sponsor list. I wonder if their donation spiel mentions their work to eliminate steelhead sport fishing in the Puget Sound region? Considering that companies like Burkheimer are supporting them, I kind of doubt it.

Does anybody else feel weird about opposing an organization with a name like "Wild Steelhead Coalition?" Sure doesn't sound like anything I would oppose, and might have something to do with how WSC was able to amass a list of supporters that long. I bet half the sponsors didn't even ask questions before donating.

The real shame is that the WFC actually does some really good work for habitat restoration. Granted I think jumping to lawsuits to better your position (and income) and wasting taxpayer money is pretty selfish, but the idea of holding counties, states and even the federal government to following best fish practices is great. Even if it is forcing hatcheries to step up their game.

Its just too bad that this anti-hatchery mission they are on is so unsupported by facts or prior instances where complete removal, or even reduction, in hatchery fish has helped any wild run rebound. And if someone has found a case like this, please let us know. I've done quite a bit of digging and just haven't found one.

Its too bad that they can't harness this energy into the real problems with habitat, logging practices, water rights, co-management disparity, non-selective harvest, etc.

Its too bad they don't have the stones to go after the giant elephant in the room wearing the headdress and have to stick to a department that already lacks money and resources.

Its too bad that they waste tax payer money and tie up more funds and resources from that already lacking WDFW. All with the help from, probably quite a few, unknowing supporters.

im the one that posted that list, also, its the WFC (Wild Fish Conservancy) that that is from, not the WSC.... i pay somewhat attention to the WSC, but dont see yet that they are as bad as Beardslee and the WFC... those people are extremists....

Every party does as much damage as they do good.

Blame the tribes ("I know we net indiscriminately, but we operate hatcheries which you enjoy and do habitat restoration even though you don't talk about it. Get the players club card at our new Casino and get in on the free seafood buffet!")

Blame the recreational angler ("We just want to fish, it doesn't matter if we don't have what we used to, just give us an opportunity to float down a river or stand on a bank somewhere [Bleeeeep!]!!! We fight for conservation, even though we do have mortality impacts during C&R and some of us kill wild fish for a trophy or just flat out poach")

Blame the WDFW (" I know we have a lower approval rating than the DMV, Check out our new media blitz "Hey you can still catch Perch and Squid! And look at the Native Squirrel habitat we have saved! What? Did you ask about the HGMP that we have shelved for the past 8 years Let's not talk about that." You will love our show Rugged Justice!")

Blame the Feds ("We don't want to get sued so we didn't stamp an approval, give us another 5 years if you don't mind!")

Blame everyone not living in a Seattle condo ("Housewarming! Look at the view of the (insert nearby body of water)! 4 car garage, impervious surfaces for the patio and driveway, and didn't the weed-n-feed do wonders for the lawn! That new subdivision down the street will do wonders for our property value!")

Blame the Timber Industry ("Yeah, sure we clear cut upper watersheds, burn the excess timber, crop dust broad-leaf-killer pesticides so our baby trees will grow quicker. Let's not talk about that, let's talk about how soft that new Charmin TP is on your bum bum! So smooth!!! Did we mention jobs?")

Blame the WFC ("Save Wild Steelhead at all costs! Look at the rehab work we've done on local streams. Thanks for the grant money taxpayers, now here's a few lawsuits just to show how Fuk'd the system is. You pay money and the government gives it to us, and they are so dumb and backwards we can use that money to sue them to get what we want because even though they write the laws they don't follow them and that is not right but it helps us fight them to get what we want. But since they aren't doing enough to save Wild Steelhead we will make a mockery of their dumb bureaucracy. Haha, insert smiley face emoji"

AND THEN EVERYONE WENT CROSSEYED.

^^^Nice summery^^^

Yup....Like watching a slinky flop down a staircase.

I will send letters to all those donors I support or supported. If all write letters to ones they use to support and state why, you will no longer support. It will go miles to end the funding.

Another reason to Broodstock, keep river specific genes in the system. Right Salmo and Todd.

Moravec's post hit the nail on the head. Blaming everyone else is pretty easy. Like by boss always tells me, 'any asshole can find a problem and talk about it'

That's why regardless of your opinion, just do something... anything... productive towards what you believe. Be it send letters, boycott supporters, raise awareness, go to meetings, joins clubs or organizations, etc.

Oops. Of course, I meant WFC, not WSC, whom I think tends to be a bit extreme at times, but does not occur to me as a threat to sport fishing for steelhead. Acronyms, acronyms....