Be Heard: WDFW open to questions and comments

Be Heard: WDFW open to questions and comments at its annual north central region meeting.

By Keith Roe

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will hold its annual north central region meeting on September 19th. The meeting is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. at Howard’s River Central Building, 233 Lakeshore Drive.

WDFW has been holding this meeting for over 10 years, which allows the public to voice their concerns and/or ideas on our regional fishing and hunting activities.

This serves as an informal opportunity to talk with your fish and wildlife biologists and enforcement officers about these issues, whether they relate to post-wildfire habitat recovery, this summer's new wild chinook salmon fishery, or other concerns area residents might have.

One question I’ve been asked a lately, is whether we will have a steelhead season this year. From my own experience, when I worked for WDFW, I would have to say no. Looking at the run size and timeline gives all the indications that this will be one of the lowest returns we have ever seen. I know this will be one of the open topics at the meeting, and one that the WDFW staff will be prepared to answer.

There’s no doubt that the last few years of wildfires, drought, and low fish returns have affected fish and wildlife populations and our local fishing and hunting economies. This is a good opportunity to find out what steps are in place to protect and/or recover this habitat loss and to learn what the future might hold for our outdoors-based economy.

Regional Director Jim Brown said WDFW staff will provide updates on some issues, but that most of the meeting will be dedicated to questions, comments and discussion with attendees. I know a lot of us are very passionate about our hunting and fishing activities, but I would suggest that we refrain from non-cooperative or openly hostile comments towards the department staff. Keeping it open and informative makes these meetings move in a positive manner.

If you have never been to one of these meetings I highly suggest you attend. If you don’t speak up and ask questions you’ll never get the answers you desire. Even if you don’t like the answers, you’ll have been heard, and you might supply ideas they may not have considered.

WDFW's northcentral region includes Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan counties.

Hope to see you there.