Juvenile chinook on the move    

Juvenile chinook. Photo by Peter Kiffney, NOAA Fisheries.

Hatchery staff and volunteers last week moved 800,000 chinook from the incubation room out to the ponds on the hatchery's north end. They joined 625,000 juveniles that were moved in mid-January. More chinook are planned to be moved this month, for a total of 1.7 million.

The chinook fry will remain in the holding ponds until late spring, when they will be released into Issaquah Creek. Juvenile chinook are reared at the hatchery until approximately nine months after they have been spawned.   

Meanwhile, the hatchery's coho continue to develop in the incubation rooms. Juvenile coho from the 2010 spawn will be released in early spring. Coho are reared longer at the hatchery than chinook and are released approximately 18 months after they have been spawned. 

Celina dances with children from Maundo in 2010.

Where in the World is EC Celina Steiger?

As you have no doubt already heard, Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) - like many state agencies - is facing drastic budget cuts. The agency will not be able to continue to provide the same level of service under the proposed cuts.

WDFW, along with the state Parks Department and the Department of Natural Resources, is requesting several measures to increase fees to make up the budget gap and is asking for the public's support. If you would like to help DFW bridge the budget gap, contact your local legislator and urge the passage of these measures. The proposals are:

SB 5622, which addresses the growing demand for recreation opportunities and the impacts of recreation on natural resources and wildlife by developing a reliable source of funding and improving law enforcement on state lands managed by the agencies. All three agencies have seen sharp declines in their budgets to provide adequate maintenance, improvements, and enforcement for recreation. The governor's proposed budget removed state general fund support for recreation on state lands in favor of a user-supported funding approach.

"As lawmakers discuss the most drastic budget cuts in state history, we need to align our revenues with our expectations about our quality of life," said State Senator Kevin Ranker, the prime sponsor of the bill. "We need to talk about not just how much our outdoor recreation services cost, but also about how much it costs to lose them. Without this legislation, we will witness widespread closure of state parks and other public facilities. I am grateful for the leadership provided by Parks, DNR, and WDFW on this critical issue."

A companion bill, HB 1796, has been introduced in the House by Rep. Kevin Van De Wege. One of the key components of the bill is the annual $30 pass, which will enable the public to visit state lands managed by all three agencies with just a single pass.

"With State Parks moving off general fund tax support, we need a new way to fund recreation, and a user-pay model seems to be the fairest-those who use parks pay for them" said State Parks Director Don Hoch. "Working together with all three agencies that offer recreation on state lands is a great value for citizens. The public doesn't have to worry about whether they are on lands managed by State Parks, WDFW, or DNR. One permit gets them access."

"State general revenues are no longer a stable source of funding for outdoor recreation on state lands," said WDFW Director Phil Anderson. "This proposal will bring a greater degree of stability to state land maintenance and operation, and will ensure the public's ability to access state lands and waterways for outdoor recreation. We're eager to work with legislators and our fellow natural resource agencies to improve the legislation as we seek sustainable funding for state lands."

Another proposal would create user fees for Hydraulic Project Approvals (HPAs). The Department spends $5.5 million annually on hydraulic project approvals. This is a special service not utilized by the general public - the proposal would charge those who use the service.

How you can help: Call the legislative hotline at 800-562-6000 and send a message in support for HB 1588 and SB 5529 and the hydraulic project approval. You can also contact committee members directly for the natural resources committees (House & Senate).

Contact:

• Rep. Brian Blake, Agriculture & Natural Resources Chair, brian.blake@leg.wa.gov
• Sen. Kevin Ranker, Natural Resources & Marine Waters Chair, Kevin.ranker@leg.wa.gov

Here is a sample e-mail that you might send to state lawmakers:

Dear xxx,

I am writing to urge the passage of HB 1387 & SB 5385, as well as the creation user fees for Hydraulic Project Approvals (HPAs) in order to keep Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife from experiencing drastic budget cuts in the 2011-2013 biennium. These proposals would help cover costs to DFW and bring Washington in line with other states' fees. The agency has been streamlining operations for many years and further cuts will severely hamper its ability to provide vital functions and adequately protect the state's natural resources. These measures would address those concerns and keep the agency from additional unsustainable reductions.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

(Your name)