The Elwha without Chambers Creeks Steelhead

Seattle Times article on Elwha Hatchery lawsuit

While not a total win for wild fish advocates, the fact that the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe will be stopping the planting of non-native winter steelhead is a win for wild steelhead in the Elwha River after the dams come down.

Thanks to all of the groups involved in fighting for wild fish in the Elwha.  To those who think nothing changes, here is another reason to fight the siren song of apathy when it comes to fisheries issues.  Small groups have made great changes.  Imagine what an active sportfishing community could do.

If Only We Had Taken Their Advice

I know I shouldn't but I cannot help but read the comment section below the stories in our local newspaper.  The comments on any story involving the Elwha Dams are full of insight (comedy gems.) 

Check out the comments to these articles:

Glines Canyon Dam removal on a one-month hold — and sediment amount in former Elwha lakes was underestimated 

Sediment, debris clog equipment at Elwha treatment plant

If only all the scientists and engineers had talked to these commentators there would be no problems.  From knowing about the poor survey in 1917 to building the water treatment plant the true experts are these fine citizens commentators. 

Of course there is a good drinking game to be had from these comments.  You have to take a drink for every misspelling and grammatical error.  You are already drunk at this point but it gets worse.  You have to finish your drink if Al Gore, Benghazi, or any major right-wing story that has nothing to do with fish or the Elwha gets mentioned.

I apologize in advance for the hangover.

10 Million More

There are 10 million more cubic yards of sediment behind the Elwha dams than previously thought due to a mapping error from 1917.

Seattle Times Article

Take Action for Wild Fish

Two important things to do for wild fish.

First up is the 2012-2013 Sportfishing Rule Proposals from WDFW.  There are important rule changes regarding wild fish protection throughout Puget Sound and the Coast.  Write or attend the meeting (or both) regarding protecting juvenile salmonids and resident trout.

2012-2013 Rule Proposals

Second up is the Wild Fish Conservancy's campaign against non-native hatchery fish in the Elwha River.  Help them help wild fish recovery after the dam removal.

Protect Wild Elwha Steelhead and Salmon

NY Times Elwha Editorial

NY Times The Return of The River

Nice quote at the end of it:
"The Elwha project is a reminder that there was a time when Republican leaders cared about the environment and understood that protecting it could also be good business. Where have they gone?"

More Elwha Woes

If you think the hatchery plans for the Elwha are bad, what do you think about siting fish farms and producing 1.7 million fish (either atlantic salmon or steelhead) along the Elwha salmon's migration path?

Aquaculture Proposed in Strait of Juan de Fuca

Looks like another example of our inability to learn from our mistakes.

Elwha Hatcheries Helping

While the hatchery plans on the Elwha will now be sorted out in court I have to mention one positive part of the Elwha hatchery plans.  I believe that we have never seen the hatchery issue debated so much in the mainstream press.  The Seattle Times has run numerous articles about the dispute and mentioned the science behind the debate.  The local Port Angeles paper has even run an article or two about the issue.  While the end result may not be what wild fish advocates would like, the fact that so many people are learning that hatchery fish and wild fish are not interchangeable has to be a good thing.  This is especially true of the people who do not fish and would normally not even be aware of one of the largest issues in salmon and steelhead management in the Pacific Northwest.

Thursday evening I had the chance to attend an dam removal event which featured Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia.  Speaking ahead of Yvon was Dylan Tomine who brought the house down with an impassioned plea to let nature recover on her own and leave the Elwha hatchery fish free.  He was hands down the best speaker of the night and hundreds of people learned more about how wild fish can and will show us abundance if we just get out of their way and stop thinking we know the best ways to help them.

While the hatchery battle is likely lost on the Elwha the debate and public opinion is swinging in the right direction.  Twenty years ago who would have thought that planting hatchery fish would be the most controversial part of the dam removal on the Elwha?

Let's also not forget that next month Condit Dam on the White Salmon River is set to come down.  This restoration project will not be using hatchery fish and will rely on natural recolonization.  One out of two aint bad.

Animated Dam Removal

Check out how the dam removal will occur.

Historic Day Part Two

Video of the jackhammer in action.

PDN Video

Watch the Elwha Dam Removal Webcams

Elwha Dam Removal Web Cams

Historic Day

First Chip Removed Today

It Finally Begins

Elwha Dam Removal Finally Begins

This upcoming Thursday is when the concrete starts coming down.

While there has been tons of recent discussions about some of the problems with the Elwha River fish restoration plan this week will be purely about celebrating the opportunity to right a giant wrong.

Wish I had tickets to the actual celebration, but will be looking forward to getting back to the Olympic Peninsula in time for this historic dam removal and the talk by Yvon Choinard.

Elwha Unplugged

The Opus of Dick Goin