Maybe some relief for north coast hatcheries

[Artwo]

I pulled this out of the on-line Oregonian outdoor section from Bill Monroe, sorry so late but found it interesting none the less. Way to go Tillamook area fisherman for standing up and being noticed.

Popular hatcheries get support


Sunday, February 11, 2001

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A legislative sunbeam for Oregon anglers is a welcome sight radiating from Salem.

There's a chance -- still far from a guarantee -- that cash-strapped hatcheries may not close after all.

Last year, when the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife sent a reduced budget to the governor's office for fine-tuning, its choices for cuts included hatcheries on the North Fork Nehalem River, Trask River, Rock Creek on the Umpqua system and Butte Falls on the Rogue.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said the four were the most expendable.

It was probably just coincidental that they're also among the most popular.

And thus understandable that the public reaction was immediate and visceral.

"Where will all legless wheelchair people, one-armed people, one-legged people and blind people like myself fish?" said Edward West of Milwaukie. West loves to fish but has precious few places to go beyond the popular ramp designed for the disabled below the outlet of the Nehalem hatchery.

And the mist whistling up the Wilson River Gorge on a clear fall day wasn't from clouds, it was genuine Tillamook steam.

. . . Vented by the highly organized and active Tillamook Anglers. The organization runs its own small hatchery and depends on the Trask operation for everything from salmon stocking in local streams to free fishing for kids and disabled anglers.

The messages were heard loud and clear. Here's where everything stands -- including a real cloud.

The Nehalem hatchery was removed from the cut list and inserted into a somewhat safer request to renew a general fund allocation to the department.

The other three are being looked after by legislators who have told advocates that keeping them open is a priority.

That's even been put in writing for the legislative Ways and Means Committee, but it's still no guarantee.

All of Salem is waiting tensely for the new revenue forecast due in March, which will drive the budget.

If it's low (and predictions are gloomy), some or all of the hatcheries -- including Nehalem -- may need even more advocacy.

"People need to know they shouldn't let up," said Rep. Susan Morgan, R-Myrtle Creek.

Morgan, the chair of the Natural Resources Ways and Means Subcommittee, also is a hatchery advocate.

"It's important not to assume that it's a done deal," she said. "They should stay in touch with their legislators."

Cheers: Phil Donovan, government affairs liaison for the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association, may have the legislature hooked on House Bill 2601.

The association's bill would create a second special tag for hatchery salmon and steelhead only, allowing anglers who buy the required $15 tag for sturgeon, salmon and halibut to then get a second one for $10. The additional tag is for up to 10 hatchery fish (only) and could be held in addition to the first.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife supports the idea.

Just do it: Liz Hamilton, executive director of the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association, suggests anglers immediately start releasing all Willamette spring chinook without a fin clip, instead of waiting for the rule to take effect March 12. She says it would emphasize anglers' commitment to saving wild salmon.

[OR Coast Range]

Wow, Mr. West must be having an extremely bad run of luck!

[First Bite]

Thanks artwo for posting the info. That's some good news about the Nehalem hatchery.