Hatcheries

2002-2005 Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans (HGMPs)
for WDFW Hatchery Programs

Mid and Upper Columbia and Snake River
The public review and comment period of Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) hatchery and genetic management plans for the mid and Upper Columbia and Snake River salmon and steelhead hatchery programs is now closed.

Draft Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans (HGMPs) for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) programs were available for a 60-day public review and comment period. That period ended Nov. 7, 2005. HGMPs were submitted from programs originating from the Upper Columbia and Snake River Recovery Regions, including eleven (11) programs currently with ESA coverage by NOAA Fisheries Section 10 permits including:

• The direct take and propagation of endangered steelhead in the Upper Columbia from Wells Hatchery for the Wenatchee, Okanogan, Similkameen and Methow River systems (Section 10(a)(1)(B) Permit Number: 1395).
• The direct take, propagation and research of endangered spring chinook for the Methow and Chiwawa (Wenatchee) River systems (Section 10(a)(1)(B) Permit Number: 1196).
• The incidental take of listed fish during propagation of unlisted fish including Lake Wenatchee Sockeye and summer and fall chinook programs from Eastbank, Wells, Turtle Rock and Priest Rapids Hatcheries (Section 10(a)(1)(B) Permit Number: 1347).

Additionally, the White River (Wenatchee River) Spring Chinook Captive Brood program was not previously included as part of the endangered spring chinook Section 10(a)(1)(B) Permit #1196, so a HGMP is being submitted for application of a direct take and propagation permit consistent with the Biological Opinion for ESA Section 7 Consultation on Interim Operations for the Priest Rapids Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 2114).

Snake River Region HGMPs (WDFW Programs) were previously submitted by WDFW (March 2001 to September 2002) and operated with Section 10 ESA permits (Section 10(a)(1)(B) 1126 and 1129) coverage until 2003. Eight (8) updated HGMPs from the Snake River ESU (WDFW Programs) will be submitted for Section 7(a)(2) “consultation” and Section 7(b)(4) “incidental take statement” to cover the take of threatened only species by WDFW programs.

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; or 2) in-person through a scheduled appointment at the WDFW office in Olympia, WA. To schedule an appointment, or to obtain more information, please call (360) 902-2802 or (360) 902-2700.

WDFW accepted public comments on the draft HGMPs until 12:00 noon November 7, 2005. Comments were 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.

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

Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans for WDFW Snake River Hatchery and Local Watershed Stewardship Programs Provided for Public Comment

Columbia River Hatchery Programs from the Cowlitz River Salmon Hatchery, Cowlitz River Trout Hatchery and Mossyrock Trout Hatchery

WDFW Review of Public Comments Received on Columbia River Hatchery Programs from the Cowlitz River Salmon Hatchery, Cowlitz River Trout Hatchery and Mossyrock Trout Hatchery during the April 20, 2005 through June 20, 2005 sixty day public comment period.

HGMP Comments WDFW Review of Public Comments Received on Cowlitz River HGMPs

Draft Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans (HGMPs) for fifteen (15) Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) programs will be available on April 20, 2005 for a 60-day public review and comment period. These include twelve (12) anadromous programs and three (3) resident trout plants made to the Tilton River, Skate Creek and Mayfield Lake. A number of HGMPs involve cooperative partnerships with local citizen organizations including Friends of the Cowlitz and the Cowlitz Game and Anglers. Public comments, WDFW's response, and any resultant modifications to HGMPs will subsequently be posted on the WDFW website and provided to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries (NOAA) for its consideration after the comment period.

The HGMPs describe, in a format prescribed by NOAA Fisheries, the operation of each program 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 at the WDFW website; 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 June 20, 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 Daylight Time on June 20, 2005.

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

Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans for WDFW Cowlitz River Salmon and Trout Hatchery Programs Provided for Public Comment

Lower and Mid-Columbia River Hatchery and Local Watershed Stewardship Program

WDFW Review of Public Comments Received on Lower and Mid-Columbia River Hatchery and Local Watershed Stewardship Program HGMPs January 19, 2005 through March 21, 2005 comment period.

HGMP Comments WDFW Lower and Mid-Columbia River HGMP Public Comment Response

WDFW provided 10 Hatchery Genetic Management Plans (HGMPs) covering Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) programs including seven (7) programs in the Lower Columbia ESU and three (3) programs from Ringold Springs Rearing Facility (Middle Columbia ESU). Four (4) 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. The HGMPs describe, in a format prescribed by NOAA Fisheries, the operation of artificial production programs for salmon and steelhead in the Lower and Mid-Columbia River region.

A total of 6 individuals and organizations subsequently provided comments to WDFW on the draft HGMPs. Comments ranged from short paragraphs to extensive reviews, all of which are available in their entirety on the WDFW website. The public comment period resulted in numerous valuable comments and suggestions.

WDFW has provided a response to each of the summarized comments and identified, as needed, enhancements to HGMPs. These enhancements will be provided to NOAA Fisheries during the next year in an interactive, ongoing process leading to a Final Environmental Impact Statement.

Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans for WDFW Lower and Mid-Columbia River Hatchery
and Local Watershed Stewardship Programs Provided for Public Comment

Lower Columbia River

WDFW Review of Public Comments Received on Lower Columbia River HGMPs

HGMP Comments WDFW Lower Columbia River HGMP Public Comment Response

WDFW Review of Public Comments Received on Columbia River HGMPs August 18, 2004 through October 18, 2004 Comment Period. The comment period was extended an additional 10 days to October 28, 2004 per request from Washington Trout.

WDFW provided 45 Hatchery Genetic Management Plans (HGMPs) covering Lower Columbia River artificial production programs for comment in the period from August 18, 2004 through October 28, 2004. The HGMPs describe, in a format prescribed by NOAA Fisheries, the operation of artificial production programs for salmon and steelhead in the Lower Columbia River region and in the Klickitat River.

A total of 6 individuals and organizations subsequently provided comments to WDFW on the draft HGMPs. Comments ranged from short paragraphs to extensive reviews, all of which are available in their entirety on the WDFW website. The public comment period resulted in numerous valuable comments and suggestions.

WDFW has provided a response to each of the summarized comments and identified, as needed, enhancements to HGMPs. These enhancements will be provided to NOAA Fisheries during the next year in an interactive, ongoing process leading to a Final Environmental Impact Statement

Hatchery Genetic Management Plans for WDFW Lower Columbia Hatchery Programs Provided for Public Comment

Puget Sound

WDFW Review of Public Comments Received on Puget Sound HGMPs

HGMP Comments Puget Sound HGMP Public Comments WDFW Puget Sound HGMP Public Comment Response

WDFW provided 79 Hatchery Genetic Management Plans (HGMPs) covering Puget Sound artificial production programs for public comment in the period from June 18, 2003 through August 1, 2003. The HGMPs describe, in a format prescribed by NOAA Fisheries, the operation of each artificial production program for salmon and steelhead in the Puget Sound region and the potential effects of each program on listed species. The HGMPs have been provided to NOAA Fisheries for consideration as significant conservation measures under Section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act.

A total of 24 individuals or organizations subsequently provided comments to WDFW during the public comment period. The comments ranged from short paragraphs to extensive reviews, all of which are available in their entirety on the WDFW website at the following address: (hgmp_comments.pdf)

WDFW has provided a summary of the comments to promote a broad review by NOAA Fisheries and others interested in Puget Sound artificial production programs. Many comments were applicable to multiple HGMPs and, to minimize redundancy, are grouped according to the section of the HGMP to which they are applicable. WDFW has also provided a response to each of the summarized comments and identified, as needed, enhancements to HGMPs. These enhancements will be provided to NOAA Fisheries during the next year in an iterative, ongoing process leading to a Final Environmental Impact Statement. The Final Environmental Impact Statement is currently expected to be issued in the spring of 2005. The WDFW response to public comments are available at the following link: (ps_hgmp_comment_response_10-29-03.pdf)

Hatchery Genetic Management Plans for WDFW Puget Sound Hatchery Programs Provided for Public Comment