Released today via the Newsdata Fishwire Advisory:
[7] PUGET SOUND GEARS UP FOR SALMON RULES
Salmon managers in Washington State's Puget Sound region got a boost last
week when they learned that Congress is likely to approve more than $30
million for regional salmon projects. As much as $120 million more
federal dollars could be headed for the region in upcoming years, pending
further Congressional approval. Tri-County officials are in the midst of
developing a habitat plan designed to satisfy NMFS/ESA mandates related to
wild Puget Sound chinook stocks.
http://www.newsdata.com/enernet/fish...hltr115.html#7
[8] NMFS SURVIVES GORTON BUDGET LANGUAGE Congressional budget language
that would have prevented the National Marine Fisheries Service from
speeding up ESA permitting processes was quietly removed from the recently-
approved appropriations bill. Sen. Slade Gorton (R-WA), who lost his re-
election bid, tried to cut $13 million slated to increase NMFS permit
staff. But the funding survived a conference committee and remained in
the full appropriations bill approved shortly before the 2001 Congress
adjourned.
http://www.newsdata.com/enernet/fish...hltr115.html#8
Assuming a like budget for similar projects in Oregon, I see this as very encouraging for regional habitat restoration. Yay! However, with that kind of budget earmarked for fish projects it makes one wonder about the supposed funding problems for state hatcheries; such as the Cowlitz and N.F. Nehalem. I think they should be more upfront about the future of northwest fish hatcheries and why they are likely to go by the wayside in the not-too-distant future. ...
How about that Slade?
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Know fish or no fish. - RT
[This message has been edited by RT (edited 12-22-2000).]
Washington News Release Interesting for the Region
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