WDFW seeks public comment on strategy to prioritize fish passage barrier removal

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking public input on a draft statewide strategy to prioritize the removal of small-scale barriers that prevent salmon and steelhead from swimming upstream, according to a news release.

“At the direction of the Legislature, the draft strategy offers a coordinated approach that focuses Washington’s various fish passage correction programs to maximize recovery of depressed, threatened and endangered salmon stocks as well as the endangered Southern Resident killer whale population,” WDFW stated in the release.

WDFW consulted with and continues to work with tribes, partners and a science panel in developing the draft strategy, as well as the Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board, which evaluates fish passage projects and identifies priority projects for funding considerations.

The public is invited to view the draft strategy at https://tinyurl.com/mr2ab6az and provide comments through Oct. 14. Comments can be submitted online at WDFW’s website, or by mail to Dr. Jane Atha, fish passage strategist, P.O. Box 43200, Olympia, WA 98504

WDFW also held a hybrid workshop to discuss and hear feedback on the plan on Oct. 2 at the Confluence Technology Center in Wenatchee.