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View Full Version : Action Alert, Updated state commisions still in stalemate over 09 springers



Chinook SSSF
01-28-2009, 10:55 PM
This just in from Liz at NSIA

A simple action alert, state commisions in stalemate over spring salmon.

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission today stood firm on its 65% sport/ 35% commercial deal struck in the BiState Committee for Spring Chinook allocations on the Columbia River. As you know, the Oregon Commission backtracked on the agreement and is now insisting on a 60/40 split. The states are at a stalemate and anglers have been left in limbo. (See Bill Monroe Article, which you can forward to your Legislators -
http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/bill_monroe/index.ssf/2009/01/washington_holds_firm_on_sprin.html (http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/bill_monroe/index.ssf/2009/01/washington_holds_firm_on_sprin.html) )

Things might get worse. The Washington Commission, in light of the Oregon Commission’s unwillingness to abide by the agreed terms of last year’s agreement, has prohibited the Director of WDFW from negotiating fisheries.

THE POSSIBILITY OF A SPRING WITHOUT A SALMON SEASON IS REAL. This would be a disaster in every sense of the word for anglers, the sport fishing industry and the economies of Oregon/Washington as a whole. We cannot let this impasse destroy recreational fishing in 2009. YOU NEED TO MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD!

Let your representatives in government know how loosing seasons in 2009 would affect you. Let them know that the allocation debate between commercial and sport interests and the inability of these two Commissions to come together has already caused enough collateral damage.

Let them know, that they can take immediate action and put this debate to rest forever by passing SAFE for Salmon. http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/home.htm (http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/home.htm), http://www.leg.wa.gov/legislature/ (http://www.leg.wa.gov/legislature/)

2008 with its shortened seasons was horrible. 2009 is shaping up to be disastrous. Call, write, email and/or visit your elected representatives and save our 2009 fishing seasons. Offer to arrange a SAFE for Salmon briefing for your elected official.

Let them know Oregon and Washington need leadership for Real Solutions, where everyone can win, especially the fish.

You might also thank the Washington Commission for being faithful to their agreement with their Oregon<ST1:p counterparts. commission@dfw.wa.gov (commission@dfw.wa.gov)

Arctic
01-28-2009, 11:05 PM
Thanks Matt... Four E-Mails, sent... Out of Jeff, Ron, Kurt, and Bill, I hope one of 'em sees how dire the situation could shape up to be.

GW
01-29-2009, 08:30 AM
I think Oregon is Bluffing and I hope Washington calls them on it. Oregon Department of Miss Management. We might just be the most jacked up state in the union.

Chinook SSSF
01-30-2009, 04:40 PM
Still no action from the Oregon commision. Holding steady at stalemate.

For Immediate Release Jan. 29. 2009

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Contact: Steve Williams (503) 947-6209
<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 /><st1:PersonName w:st="on">Jessica Sall</st1:PersonName> (503) 947-6023
Web: dfw.state.or.us FAX: (503) 947-6009




Managers postpone setting <ST1:pColumbia River </ST1:pspring chinook season

<st1:City w:st="on">OREGON CITY</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Ore.</st1:State> – The bi-state group that sets fishing seasons for <ST1:pColumbia River</ST1:place fisheries met today without setting a season for spring chinook salmon.

The Columbia River Joint Compact has traditionally set the season for spring chinook at its winter meeting. This year, however, the process has been delayed because the fish and wildlife commissions in <st1:State w:st="on">Oregon</st1:State> and <ST1:p<st1:State w:st="on">Washington</st1:State></ST1:place have not yet agreed on a final allocation between sport and commercial fisheries.

At today’s meeting, <st1:State w:st="on">Oregon</st1:State> and <ST1:p<st1:State w:st="on">Washington</st1:State></ST1:place fishery managers outlined some general options for what a spring chinook season might look like, and heard public testimony on these options.

The C<ST1:polumbia River</ST1:place is open to spring chinook fishing from Jan. 1 to Mar. 1 under permanent regulations. Each year <st1:State w:st="on">Oregon</st1:State> and <ST1:p<st1:State w:st="on">Washington</st1:State></ST1:place amend the permanent season to provide additional fishing opportunity, if the forecasted run size permits.

Also at today’s meeting, the Joint Compact modified regulations for the winter non-Indian commercial sturgeon fishery and set other treaty fisheries.



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