Cowlitz Settlement Ceremony
Union Station, Tacoma
October 23, 2000

Remarks by Dr. Jeff Koenings, WDFW Director

Today's celebration marks success in collaboration between many federal resource agencies, conservation groups, tribes - - and of course Washington state agencies - the agency I represent, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, as well as, the Office of Attorney General, the Department of Ecology, and the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission - all working together with the City of Tacoma.

We appreciate the efforts of staff from all these agencies in reaching this settlement.

This agreement represents a specific example of how to address a resource issue, at least from my perspective.

First, it is based on science both in the present, and perhaps more importantly, in the future. The future science is incorporated in adaptive management provisions over the lifetime of the agreement. Bottom line–we have committed to use good science to plot our way as we go. This may bring about volitional fish passage above Mayfield Dam. We'll let science and the fish tell us that tale.

Second, this agreement was formulated through a flexible, collaborative process which I feel is a great improvement over the old proscriptive process. This reminds me of a second marriage where hope replaces history! Science does have to be the compass pointing to the goal, however as the Seahawks are showing us once again, if you don't have the right team working together you'll fail to reach the goal. There are many paths to success, and WDFW thus, will be at the table working with constituents to reach our common goals consistent with local needs and conditions. We simply don't feel that we have exclusive rights to all the good ideas.

Now what are the immediate products of this agreement:

1. Flexible restoration of salmon stocks e.g., spring chinook and late winter steelhead. We'll do this through innovative hatchery techniques and restoration of spawning fish in the upper watersheds. The goal is sustainable fish populations–populations that more than just replace themselves.
   
   
2. Sustainable fishing opportunities result directly from sustainable populations. This agreement affords a tremendous recreational opportunity. It is up to us to realize that opportunity.
   
   
3. Hatchery reform is another product. Throughout Puget Sound and along the coast, hatcheries are in the process of being recast into two roles: conservation of the wild stocks and recreational opportunities consistent with conservation. This agreement seeks the same result.
   
   It also includes innovative concepts to produce better juvenile fish through techniques like ‘natures rearing', and vast improvements to the hatchery itself so that such programs can be successful.
   
   
4. It also ensures the continuation of the Wildlife agreement for purchasing and restoring wetlands and other habitat for wildlife in the Cowlitz Valley.
   
   
5. And finally, it provides for stable long-term funding to accomplish the above list of very important changes.
   
   

--- Stepping back a bit, I'll ask the broader question of what does this agreement do for fish?

From our perspective, it addresses all of what we refer to at "the four Hs" in a scientific approach to salmon recovery: Hatchery reform, habitat improvements, harvest changes and Hydropower operations. I've put them in a little different order for the purposes of understanding them in light of this event today. I've concentrated on harvest and hatcheries - but there is more to it!

This agreement focuses on our hydropower plants in terms of how they affect salmon. Obviously, the hyrdoelectric projects work for people, but we want them to work for us in a way that doesn't at the same time put salmon in harm's way. This settlement we're celebrating today is a step in the right direction.

We at the Department of Fish and Wildlife are constantly saying that unless we restore and protect habitat, salmon recovery will not become a reality. The Cowlitz settlement is a commitment to habitat improvements.

• It establishes a $3 million habitat restoration and enhancement fund.
• It provides a commitment to improved downstream passage, the most important element of all if upper river anadromous fish restoration is to have any chance of success.
• It provides for instream flow protection.

What's ahead? The City of Tacoma, the Yakama Tribe, the government agencies, the conservation groups and citizens - everyone worked very hard to come to the terms of this agreement. But in a sense, the real work begins now.

Because now, all the partners have to keep coming to the table to develop the management plans to make all these things happen in the best way possible.

And from my agency's point of view, the best way is the way that's best for fish and for wildlife. Our role, and the responsibility with which we as an agency are charged, - - is to keep foremost in our minds the resource, and the people under whose trust we manage this resource.

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