Recent Salmon and Fish news on March 9, 1998

A Coho

This week's Salmon News is taken from a news summary published by the Congressional Research Service. Note that new info and changes since 2/27/98 are bracketed {...} and new info/changes since 3/5/98 are double-bracketed {{...}}.

Salmon Along the Pacific Coast
{Independent Scientific Review Panel Report.
Salmon and Steelhead ESA Listing.
Savage Rapids Dam.
Three Sovereigns Meeting.
Puget Sound Chinook Salmon Restoration.
Bonneville Salmon Expenditures.
Oregon Coho Salmon Restoration.
{WA Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Hatchery Steelhead Loss.

AK Salmon Marketing Tax.
Audit of Salmon Recovery Expenditures.
Salmon Failure Report.
Pacific Salmon Treaty.
Sacramento Delta Lawsuit.
Proposed FY1999 Federal Budget.
1998 Alaska Salmon Harvest.
Aquaculture and Aquaria
{Imported Crawfish Lawsuit.

UnderWater World Bankruptcy.
Atlantic Salmon Spawning in BC.
Freshwater Fisheries
Sport Fish Restoration Hearing.
{Flood Cleanup Damage.
{Gulf Sturgeon Critical Habitat.
FY1999 Budget Hearing.
Great Lakes Fishery Trust.
Fisheries Database Summit.
Dept. of the Interior Nomination.
Pfiesteria?

Salmon Along the Pacific Coast

{{Private Landowners and Salmon MOU.

On Mar. 5, 1998, WA Governor Locke and representatives of 6 federal agencies signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a means of providing and promoting coordinated access to endangered and threatened salmon recovery assistance for private landowners, including state and federal funding for habitat rehabilitation on private land.}} [Assoc Press]

{Independent Scientific Review Panel Report.

On Mar. 4, 1998, the Northwest Power Planning Council's Independent Scientific Review Panel released a report critical of increased reliance on the practice of transporting juvenile salmon downstream in trucks and barges. The Panel was especially critical of truck transport, describing the practice as based on economics rather than on biology. Instead the panel endorsed continued adherence to a "spread-the-risk" policy of using both barge transport and increased river flows to speed juvenile salmon downstream.} [Assoc Press]

Salmon and Steelhead ESA Listing.

On Feb. 26, 1998, NMFS officials announced that 13 Pacific coast salmon and steelhead populations (chinook salmon in northern CA's Central Valley (both spring-run and fall-run fish in the Sacramento and American Rivers), in southern OR and northern CA coastal rivers (including the Rogue River), in OR's upper Willamette River, in the Snake River (fall-run fish), in the lower Columbia River, in the upper Columbia River (spring-run fish), and in WA's Puget Sound; sockeye salmon in Ozette Lake on WA's Olympic Peninsula; chum salmon in the lower Columbia River and along WA's Hood Canal (summer-run fish); steelhead trout in OR's upper Willamette River and in the middle Columbia River (including the Deschutes River)) are being proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act. All populations are proposed to be listed as "threatened" except the spring-run chinook in CA's Central Valley and spring-run chinook in the upper Columbia River, which are proposed for listing as "endangered." [Assoc Press, Dow Jones News, Reuters, Wall Street Journal, NOAA press release]

Savage Rapids Dam.

On Feb. 25, 1998, a hearings officer ruled that the OR Water Resources Commission erred in ordering the Grants Pass Irrigation District to meet deadlines for removing the Savage Rapids Dam on the Rogue River. The hearings officer found that the Commission did not have the authority to modify the timing schedule as it could not document that the District had failed to comply with the requirements of a temporary permit. The Commission may consider this issue when it next meets on Mar. 30-31, 1998.

[Assoc Press]

Three Sovereigns Meeting.

On Feb. 24, 1998, two dozen state, federal, and tribal representatives met in Boise, ID, to discuss a draft plan for and implementation of OR Gov. John Kitzhaber's proposed "Three Sovereigns Forum" alternative for managing and restoring Columbia River Basin salmon. [Assoc Press]

Puget Sound Chinook Salmon Restoration.

On Feb. 23, 1998, about 150 officials from 50 local jurisdictions in the Puget Sound, WA, region met to discuss the options for developing a salmon restoration plan to forestall listing of Puget Sound chinook salmon under the federal Endangered Species Act. [Assoc Press]

Bonneville Salmon Expenditures.

On Feb. 21, 1998, the Portland Oregonian reported that Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) has collected $300 million more in the last two years from power consumers for salmon restoration than it has spent. BPA records indicate $135 million budgeted for programs and construction projects has not been spent. While BPA alleges that $162 million was not needed due to heavy rainfall and runoff, critics accuse BPA of overstating the costs of salmon recovery. [Assoc Press]

Oregon Coho Salmon Restoration.

On Feb. 17, 1998, NMFS submitted proposals to the Oregon Salmon Restoration Initiative's special advisory committee for amending the OR Forest Practices Act, that would 1) increase restrictions on logging in riparian zones on private lands along coho salmon spawning streams, 2) prohibit logging on non-fish-bearing streams that flow into spawning streams, and 3) impose additional controls on logging areas prone to landslides. The advisory committee is to provide recommendations to the OR Board of Forestry by fall 1998, with the Board acting on the recommendations by June 1999. {On Mar. 4, 1998, the OR Dept. of Forestry held a hearing on the NMFS proposals, with timber industry officials testifying that the proposed changes would devastate their operations.} [Assoc Press]

{WA Fish and Wildlife Commission.

In mid-February 1998, the WA Senate voted 26-22 to remove former U.S. Representative Jolene Unsoeld from the nine-member state Fish and Wildlife Commission, as disagreement among commercial, sport, and tribal fishing interests concerning salmon management intensified. Ms.

Unsoeld had been appointed to the Commission by former WA Governor Mike Lowry in 1995, but was never confirmed by the state Senate.} [Assoc Press]

Hatchery Steelhead Loss.

In mid-February 1998, nearly 80,000 juvenile summer steelhead trout and possibly as many as 250,000 juvenile coho salmon died at OR Dept. of Fish and Wildlife's Salmon River Hatchery, after a pump failed overnight. The steelhead were to be planted in the Siletz River. [Assoc Press]

AK Salmon Marketing Tax.

On Feb. 9, 1998, the AK House voted unanimously to extend a 1% marketing tax on salmon fishermen through 2003. These tax revenues (about $3 million annually) support about 60% of the domestic marketing budget of the AK Seafood Marketing Institute. [Assoc Press, Dow Jones News]

Audit of Salmon Recovery Expenditures.

On Feb. 6, 1998, the Northwest Power Planning Council (NPPC) released an independent auditor's report of Bonneville Power Administration's (BPA's) salmon recovery programs, citing improvements that would better assure the cost-effective use of funds. The report criticizes BPA accounting and contractor supervision. [NPPC press release, Assoc Press]

Salmon Failure Report.

On Feb. 5, 1998, a coalition of 45 environmental and fishing groups, including American Rivers, released the report "Five Years of Failure" discussing how current policy for restoring salmon, particularly downstream transport of juvenile salmon by truck and barge, is perceived to be inadequate and contributing to the destruction of salmon populations. The report recommends lowering reservoirs, spilling fish over dams, limiting fish barging, and providing higher water flows. [American Rivers press release]

Pacific Salmon Treaty.

On Feb. 5, 1998, officials of a BC fishermens' union announced that most BC fishermen have decided to accept the proposed settlement with AK. However, AK will not drop the lawsuit until it hears from 33 BC fishermen who have not yet indicated their acceptance. AK officials have extended the acceptance deadline several days for the remaining BC fishermen.

On Feb. 5, 1998, the Vancouver Sun reported that Canada's salmon treaty negotiator, Yves Fortier, has submitted his resignation, expressing pessimism that the U.S. government will alter its position in response to the special envoys' report and increasing demands of an upcoming court challenge to Quebec's right to secession.

On Feb. 9, 1998, Canadian Justice Andrew MacKay approved the agreement between AK officials and BC fishermen, ending AK $3 million lawsuit against BC fishermen. {On Mar. 4, 1998, AK fisheries officials announced that the Pacific Salmon Commission's Northern Boundary Technical Committee was undertaking a joint U.S.-Canadian study of coho salmon, to determine appropriate management for weak Skeena River, BC, stocks.} [Assoc Press, Reuters, Dow Jones News, Canadian Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans press release]

Sacramento Delta Lawsuit.

On Feb. 4, 1998, a coalition of environmental and fishing groups filed suit in U.S. District Court, alleging that the Dept. of the Interior's preliminary water plan for CA's Central Valley Project, announced Nov. 20, 1997, provides only half the 800,000 acre-feet increase in water flow ordered by the 1992 Central Valley Project Improvement Act, on the belief that fish could be restored with less water. [Assoc Press]

Proposed FY1999 Federal Budget.

On Feb. 2, 1998, President Clinton released the proposed FY1999 federal budget, including $86 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to acquire Elwha and Glines Canyon dams in WA and begin dam removal/ecosystem restoration, a 20% increase for the Forest Service to remove logging roads and restore watersheds, $117 million for the Army Corps of Engineers to barge salmon around hydropower dams and improve fish bypass facilities at Snake and Columbia River dams, $10.3 million in Mitchell Act funding from NMFS for Columbia River hatcheries, and $7.3 million in addition to the current $16 million for NMFS work on salmon restoration. [Assoc Press]

1998 Alaska Salmon Harvest.

In early February 1998, the AK Dept. of Fish and Game released its preliminary projections of the 1998 AK commercial salmon harvest. The total catch is projected to be about 140 million fish, a 18% increase from the 1997 harvest, with most of the increase accounted for by a projected 40% increase in the pink salmon catch. [Assoc Press]

Aquaculture and Aquaria

{Cormorant Control.

On Mar. 4, 1998, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a final rule in the Federal Register allowing commercial aquaculture operations to take double-crested cormorants without a Federal migratory bird permit to protect aquaculture stocks. However, any required state permits must be obtained and state regulations must be followed. Lethal control activities can occur only after the FWS has certified that an aquaculture facility has a cormorant depredation problem and that lethal take is necessary to supplement non-lethal harassment.} [Fed. Register]

{Imported Crawfish Lawsuit.

On Feb. 27, 1998, a seafood distributor filed suit against the LA Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry, claiming the LA agriculture investigators have no legal right to seize imported crawfish allegedly mislabeled to mask its origin. More than 15,000 pounds of crawfish tail meat was seized in January 1998, on the suspicion that Chinese imports were labeled as originating in Singapore to avoid federal antidumping tariffs. A state district judge denied a request for a temporary restraining order to halt Dept. action, and a hearing on a request for a preliminary injunction may be held on Mar. 5, 1998.} [Assoc Press]

UnderWater World Bankruptcy.

On Feb. 13, 1998, operators of UnderWater World (Mall of America, Bloomington, MN) filed their plan for restructuring finances, after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October 1997.

In addition to reducing attendance projections from 1.8 million annually to 800,000, the plan proposes reducing outstanding principal from $16 million to $7.5 million, issuing stock, reducing the interest rate on remaining debt, and extending the repayment term from 5 years to 20 years. [Assoc Press]

Atlantic Salmon Spawning in BC.

On Feb. 3, 1998, a Univ. of Victoria, BC, scientist announced that, in a controlled experiment in the Little Qualicum River (a Vancouver Island river), Atlantic salmon succeeded in spawning. There has been no confirmation that fertile eggs resulted. [Assoc Press]

Chilean Salmon. U.S. Dept. of Commerce officials conducted further investigations in Chile between Feb. 2 and Feb. 12, 1998, and a decision on any final duty will be made by late May 1998.

On Feb. 9, 1998, the Chilean government announced that local industry exported $399.9 million in frozen salmon and $214.6 million in fresh salmon during 1997, up 26% and 17% respectively from 1996. [Salmon Trade Alliance press release, Santiago El Mercurio via Foreign Broadcast Information Service]

Freshwater Fisheries

{Battenkill Floater Restrictions?

On Mar. 5, 1998, Friends of the Battenkill has scheduled a community meeting to discuss a proposed petition to the VT Water Resources Board to restrict canoe and inflatable tubes on the Battenkill. Sport anglers and landowners seek to limit the number of floaters on weekends, ban floating altogether on three days (Tuesday through Thursday) each week, and impose user fees of $5 per canoe or inflatable tube on commercial liveries.} [Assoc Press]

Sport Fish Restoration Hearing.

The House Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans {held} a hearing on Mar. 3, 1998, on H.R. 2973, proposing to amend the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act. [personal communication]

{Flood Cleanup Damage.

On Mar. 2, 1998, federal Environmental Protection Agency officials wrote a letter to the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, stating that cleanup of flood damage along the Doe River, TN, and tributaries went beyond what was needed or legal under the Clean Water Act without a permit. Bulldozers allegedly removed boulders, damaged fish spawning beds, widened and straightened streams, and stripped streambanks of shading vegetation. A mitigation plan for the damage is being developed.} [Assoc Press]

{Gulf Sturgeon Critical Habitat.

On Feb. 27, 1988, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NMFS jointly announced that designation of critical habitat for threatened Gulf sturgeon would not increase protection for the species and was not necessary. The agencies were under court order to consider this designation.} [Dow Jones News]

FY1999 Budget Hearing.

On Feb. 26, 1998, the House Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans held an oversight hearing on the FY1999 budget requests of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [personal communication]

Great Lakes Fishery Trust.

In mid-February 1998, the Great Lakes Fishery Trust (GLFT) awarded almost $2.5 million in grants for seven projects, including applied fishery research, rehabilitation of native fish species, fishing access, and fish habitat restoration. The GLFT was created to compensate Michigan residents for lost use and enjoyment resulting from operation of the Ludington Pumped Storage Plant. [GLFT press release]

Fisheries Database Summit.

On Feb. 9-11, 1998, a National Fresh-water Fisheries Database Summit [http://www.fw.vt.edu/fishex/fishdbmt.html] will convene in San Diego, CA, to address issues regarding the standards and guidelines for developing shared fisheries information systems. [personal communication]

Dept. of the Interior Nomination.

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing on the nomination of Donald J. Barry to be Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife on Feb. 4, 1998.

On Feb. 10, 1998, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works voted unanimously on approval of the nomination of Donald Barry; and on Feb. 11, 1998, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources voted unanimously on approval of the nomination. [personal communication]

Pfiesteria?

On Feb. 2, 1998, President Clinton released the proposed FY1999 federal budget, including a proposed $9 million for Pfiesteria research administered by the Environmental Protection Agency. Pfiesteria programs are also mentioned in budget material on the Agricultural Research Service and the National Ocean Survey.

On Feb. 11, 1998, the MD House Committee on Environmental Matters began hearings on bills to address Pfiesteria concerns.

In mid-February 1998, scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's marine biotoxin program in Charleston, SC, announced that a test for Pfiesteria toxin in natural waters was ready to undergo field trials.

[Assoc Press, FY1999 Budget Appendix, Fed. Register]