WSR 05-02-093

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[ Filed January 5, 2005, 10:00 a.m. ]


NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY FOR PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT OF WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE (WDFW) HATCHERY AND GENETIC MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR TEN ADDITIONAL COLUMBIA RIVER HATCHERY AND LOCAL WATERSHED STEWARDSHIP PROGRAMS


(Memorandum -- January 19, 2005)



     Draft hatchery and genetic management plans (HGMPs) for ten Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) programs are available for a sixty-day public review and comment period. These include seven programs in the Lower Columbia ESU and three programs from Ringold Springs Rearing Facility (Middle Columbia ESU). Four HGMPs involve local citizen organizations including Fish First and the Cowlitz Game and Anglers along with cooperative partnerships with Clark Public Utility in Clark County. Public comments, WDFW's response, and any resultant modifications to HGMPs will subsequently be posted on the WDFW website and provided to NOAA Fisheries for its consideration after the comment period.

     The HGMPs describe, in a format prescribed by NOAA Fisheries, the operation of each program for salmon and steelhead and the potential effects of each program on listed species. The draft HGMPs will be provided to NOAA Fisheries for consideration as significant conservation measures under Section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act.

     Draft HGMPs may be accessed for review through one of the following means: 1) Electronically via the internet to the WDFW website (wdfw.wa.gov); or 2) in-person through a scheduled appointment at the WDFW office in Olympia, Washington. To schedule an appointment, or to obtain more information, please call (360) 902-2802 or (360) 902-2700.

     WDFW will be accepting public comments on the draft HGMPs until March 21, 2005. Comments must be submitted in writing to Dr. Jeff Koenings, Director, WDFW (Attention: Andy Appleby, Fish Program), 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091 or electronically through e-mail addressed to HGMP@dfw.wa.gov. All comments must be received by WDFW at the appropriate address or via WDFW's website by 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on March 21, 2005.

     This notice can also be found on the Washington State Register website at http://leg.wa.gov/CodeReviser/

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office