Field reports: Colvilles, utilities agree on hatchery

FISHING – After years of discussion, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation have reached an agreement with a federal agency and a utility to build a salmon hatchery in north-central Washington.

The hatchery is part of a 2008 agreement under which federal agencies and tribes pledged to work together toward salmon recovery by upgrading fish passage over federal dams, restoring habitat and utilizing hatcheries.

The estimated $43 million Chief Joseph Hatchery will focus on supporting the recovery of Columbia River spring chinook salmon.

Grant County Public Utility District will pay about $10 million toward construction and 18 percent of the annual operating and maintenance costs. Bonneville Power Administration will pay the remainder of those costs, while the tribe operates the facility.

The main hatchery will be located on the north bank of the Columbia River near the base of Chief Joseph Dam, about 60 miles northeast of Wenatchee. There is no fish passage beyond the dam.

When complete, the hatchery will produce nearly 2 million summer and fall chinook for reintroduction to the Okanogan and Columbia rivers, and nearly 1 million spring chinook into the Okanogan basin.

Associated Press

Grizzly bear killed near Troy

WILDLIFE –State and federal wildlife officials are investigating the shooting death of an adult grizzly bear near Troy, Mont.

The bear was found several miles up a trail located along Pine Creek Road.

State Fish, Wildlife and Parks law enforcement and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service believe the bear was shot between Nov. 6 and Nov. 10.

Tips may be eligible for reward: Call (800) 847-6668.

Associated Press

Man charged for holding hunters

HUNTING – A man accused of holding two grouse hunters at gunpoint near Oroville, Wash., has been charged in Okanogan County Superior Court with unlawful imprisonment and other charges.

Patrick M. Shivnen, 52, of Tenino, Wash., accused the men of trespassing last month near his vacation home.

The two hunters say Shivnen forced them to the ground, held them for half and hour, threatened to kill them and took a shotgun.

He has been released on $50,000 bail.

Wenatchee World

2010 takes toll on Yellowstone griz

WILDLIFE – A Wyoming elk hunter shot and killed a grizzly bear between Cody and Yellowstone National Park recently after the animal bit his arm.

At least 38 grizzly bears have died in the Yellowstone ecosystem this year.

Grizzlies are protected as a threatened species and the mortality count can affect their status under the Endangered Species Act.

Associated Press