State of Washington
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
Mailing Address: 600 Capitol Way N, Olympia, WA, 98501-1091, (360) 902-2207
Main Office Location: Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington Street SE, Olympia, WA

November 7, 1997

Dear Interested Party in Wild Salmonid Policy Development:

In response to declining wild populations of salmonids (salmon, trout, and char), reduction in the amount and quality of fisheries, and legislative directive, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has developed the enclosed two documents that together contain the proposed policy direction for WDFW staff concerning the management of wild salmonids. One document contains the policy direction and language that was jointly developed with the fisheries staff of the Western Washington Treaty Tribes. The other complementary document contains additional and more specific policy guidance for WDFW staff. Together these policies form the Wild Salmonid Policy (WSP) for WDFW for use in all habitat and salmonid fish population management through the state, including comanaged areas.

The central intent of the proposed policy concerning wild salmonids is to ensure abundant, genetically diverse, and productive wild salmonid populations that provide a variety of sustainable benefits, including contributing to fisheries. WDFW's primary strategies will require working with interested public and comanagers (federal, state, and tribal) in three main areas: (1) to develop a combination of regular and selective fisheries that sustain harvest while putting abundant numbers of wild fish on the spawning grounds; (2) to provide a strong commitment and direction for quality salmonid habitat; and (3) to manage cultured production that provides fisheries and achieves important genetic conservation and ecological objectives.

WDFW is providing these policy documents for your review and comments. The basis for these policies, performance standards, and action strategies in these documents is contained in the Final Wild Salmonid Policy Environmental Impact Statement that was mailed in September. Written input on these policy documents can be sent to Steve Phelps, WDFW, 600 Capitol Way N, Olympia, WA 98501. A Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission public hearing is scheduled for November 21, 1997, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the West Coast Tyee Hotel Quinault Ballroom, 500 Tyee Drive SW, Tumwater (Take I-5, Exit 102). A decision by the Commission on adoption of the WSP is scheduled for December 5, 1997.

Thank you for your interest and input on the Department's policy concerning wild salmonids.

Sincerely,

Bern Shanks, Ph.D.
Director