Salmon run restoration needs in-state solution

On March 9, 1999, Puget Sound Chinook (king) salmon will probably be placed on the federal endangered species list; a move carrying a tail-slapping whallop for nearly every Washington state citizen.

Dramatic changes in commercial and private utility rates; irrigation for agriculture; sports and commercial fishing; the quantity and price of wood products; recreational water use; and the location and value of homes are only a few ways salmon habitat restoration policies will impact each of us.

In an attempt to keep decision-making about state land and water policies out of the direct control of the federal government, several salmon restoration proposals have been drafted right here at home.

The commercial timber industry is a partner in a proposal in which they would trade $2 billion in revenue for reducing some of the abrupt "unknowns" to their industry surrounding federal endangered species policies. (Remember the spotted owl?) As part of the deal, timber harvesting around streams and steep slopes would be limited, and timber land owners would repair logging roads that allow heavy sediment runoff into spawning streams.

Governor Locke has a 580-page, $201 million salmon habitat restoration plan. We are encouraged by the fact that he wants state officials to retain decision-making capabilities regarding our own land and water. But his plan falls short in several specific areas, and time has run out for significant remediation.

The impact on people is not addressed explicitly in Governor Locke’s plan. In addition, no specific goals for salmon restoration are listed, which is a problem since it is hard to move toward a goal that has not been established. Will we try to achieve the vision of King County Executive Ron Simms who wants to have so many salmon in our rivers that we can walk across their backs to get from one side to the other? Or will we be happy with a 5 percent improvement from today’s levels as some suggest is possible over the next five years?

Governor Locke’s plan has one other major problem. As of this writing, the feds have not bought off on any of our plans, meaning we could invest the money, suffer the economic and cultural losses guaranteed in Locke’s plan, and still not satisfy the ten separate federal agencies eyeing our state. A study is currently underway to determine if four dams on lower Snake River will be "breached" by federal government. Central Washington farmers are holding their collective breaths on this one. We already know from past experience that federal agency bureaucrats have little concern about the Smith family who may lose a third-generation farm because they can no longer access affordable water; or the Jones family who will lose the lake that once stood in front their home; or the Adams family whose retirement income is lost when their crop of timber cannot be harvested as planned.

If we look at the history of salmon recovery efforts in Washington state and its neighbor, Oregon, we will find a mixed bag of results. Few of the billions-plus dollars both states have already spent yielded positive results. Of particular note is the failure of the urban stream rehabilitation projects. People feel good about the program, but it hasn’t helped restore fish runs/habitat. The suggestion has been wisely forwarded that we concentrate our investments and scientific study on the four main Washington rivers where Chinook salmon run: the Green, Skagit, Snohomish and Stilaguamish.

Many factors have contributed to the significant loss of Chinook salmon: tribal net fishing; international treaties; population growth with the resultant concrete, asphalt and urban turf; dams; etc. Many factors will have to contribute to their restoration. But in the process, let’s do what we can to keep the federal government out, and the lives of real people in.

Evergreen Freedom Foundation P.O. Box 552, Olympia, WA 98507 Phone: (360) 956-3482, Fax: (360) 352-1874 Email: effwa@effwa.org