Public Voices Views On Fishing And State Is Ready To Respond

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has received approximately 600 proposals for changes in state fishing regulations for 1996-97 from hundreds of anglers, agency employees and other interested persons.

Final decisions on fishing seasons and regulations for most species will be made in January and the 1996-97 fishing regulations pamphlet is scheduled to be available to the public by May 1, 1996.

The agency plans to review the proposals by October and then prepare a list of recommendations which will include a summarization of the 600 proposals received.

Anyone interested in obtaining a copy should call (360) 902-2700 or write to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Sportfishing Regulations Committee, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA, 98501-1091.

Public meetings to discuss the proposals will be in November and formal public hearings will be in December. The dates, times and locations for the meetings have not yet been set.

Salmon numbers could drop

The number of adult steelhead and coho and fall chinook salmon returning to the Columbia River and its tributaries could drop by 100,000 fish in Washington alone if Congress carries out its proposed intent to cut federal funds that support fish hatcheries, said Bob Turner, director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

According to Turner, Congress plans to cut the fiscal 1995 Mitchell Act Program appropriation. The $5.6 million earmarked for Washington would be cut by 27 percent for 1996.

Through provisions in the Mitchell Act, the federal government has been supporting Columbia River hatcheries since 1949 to mitigate the impact of the large power dams that block or impede fish passage.

“A budget reduction of this size will mean the closure of five hatcheries on the Washington side of the Columbia and an equal number on the Oregon side,” Turner said.

The additional $170,000 cost in Washington and Oregon for marking hatchery-produced coho salmon by clipping their adipose fins would increase the effect of the proposed cuts, Turner said.

State, tribal and federal agencies plan to meet next week to determine which hatcheries to close and prepare contingency plans to operate remaining Columbia River hatcheries at maximum capacity to produce as many fish as possible.

Special pheasant

A special pheasant season for young people and senior citizens will be conducted in western Washington for the second straight year.

The regular western Washington pheasant season opens Saturday, but people under 15 and over 65 can hunt all this week. Juveniles must be accompanied by an adult.

The number of sites where pheasants will be available for the special season has been expanded.

Maps to the various release sites are available at Department of Fish and Wildlife offices.

Special season hunters must abide by the same regulations as regular season hunters and obtain a 1995 hunting license and a western Washington upland bird permit.

Hunters will be required to record each pheasant taken on the permit.