Comments accepted online through Oct. 22

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is looking for public feedback on a scoping document to inform actions to conserve and rebuild Puget Sound Chinook salmon.

“We recognize the vast community of people invested in the conservation and restoration of Puget Sound Chinook salmon,” said Kyle Adicks, WDFW intergovernmental salmon manager. “It’s important that we have the right information in hand as we work to improve habitat protection, accelerate habitat restoration, and update with tribal co-managers a long-term fishery management plan for Puget Sound Chinook salmon.” 

The Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office’s 2020 State of Salmon in Watersheds report categorized Puget Sound Chinook Salmon as “in crisis” due to the gap between the number of spawners and recovery goals, the slow progress in closing that gap, and the limited likelihood of progress in the near future.

WDFW’s scoping document provides information about fisheries management, tribal treaties, habitat protection, the Puget Sound Chinook Recovery Plan, coastwide fishery management forums, requirements for Endangered Species Act coverage, watershed specific information on habitat and Chinook salmon and Southern Resident killer whale recovery.

Members of the public can review the scoping document and provide their feedback online at publicinput.com/Q4343. Public comment will be accepted through Oct. 22.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.