OLYMPIA — The state Department of Fish and Wildlife is extending until Aug. 31 the public comment period for selecting at least three rivers where hatchery steelhead would not be released.
The original comment period was scheduled to end Thursday.
The department will accept comments online at http://tinyurl.com/PDN-steelheadmanagement.
The wild steelhead management zones would be an additional effort by the state to conserve wild fish.
The department plans to designate at least one wild steelhead management zone or “gene bank” in each of three Puget Sound regions: Hood Canal and Strait of Juan de Fuca, Central and South Puget Sound, and North Puget Sound (North Cascades rivers).
Candidate rivers
In the Hood Canal and Strait region, candidate rivers are the Elwha and the Skokomish, as well as east and west Hood Canal, all for winter runs.
The department would not release hatchery fish into the selected rivers.
Studies indicate that hatchery steelhead can compete with wild steelhead and that interbreeding can reduce survival rates for wild fish, said Annette Hoffmann, regional fish manager, in a news release.
Wild steelhead management zones or “gene banks” are one of a number of management strategies identified in the Statewide Steelhead Management Plan to conserve and rebuild wild steelhead.
Hoffmann requested that comments be made through the online form by Aug. 31.
Those without access to a computer can request paper forms by contacting the Mill Creek office at 425-775-1311.
