Coastal Conservation Association

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May 12th , 2015

Senator Senator Senator Senator Steve Conway Representative Hans Dunshee Representative Richard Debolt Representative Derek Stanford Representative Norma Smith

Dear Capital Budget Writers,

I am writing to you today on behalf of the Coastal Conservation Association Washington (CCA) to request your support for $10 million in funding in the 2015-2017 Capital Budget to continue construction of the Deschutes River Hatchery at Pioneer Park in Tumwater. Funding for the Deschutes River Hatchery project was initiated in the 2013-2015 Capital Budget for preliminary site work, well development, pumps and piping. A $10 million investment this biennium will allow us to enter into the second phase of construction on this much needed hatchery in South Puget Sound.

Recreational fishing is an important part of our economy. There are over 900,000 anglers in Washington who spend $1.2 billion annually and directly support 16,200 jobs. Recreational anglers are the single largest source of license fee and tax revenue to the Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Increasing recreational fishing opportunity in South Puget Sound supports local business and will generate more tax revenue to the State and to WDFW through increased license sales.

Current salmon production on the Deschutes River is outdated and inefficient because of space constraints and limited infrastructure. As a result, fish must be reared outside the watershed at four offsite hatchery locations as far north as Everett. Trucking eggs and fish long distances and exposing them to multiple water sources increases the chance of disease and reduces overall salmon survival.

The Hatchery Science Review Group (HSRG) recommends that WDFW construct facilities to rear and release salmon on-site in the Deschutes watershed and to eliminate out-of-basin transfers. This would include the development of incubation facilities, a fry/fingerling rearing program, yearling program and the development of an educational / learning center component. Historically, the Deschutes River lacked wild salmon populations due to the presence of Tumwater Falls, so there are no ESA-listed populations present.

CONSERVATION & PROTECTION OF MARINE LIFE 1006 West 11th Street | Vancouver, WA 98660 | p 877.255.8772 | f 877.255.8774 | ccawashington.org

Numerous organizations support the construction of a hatchery on the Deschutes River. They include, Puget Sound Anglers, Fish Northwest, Trout Unlimited, City of Tumwater, Squaxin Island Tribe, Tumwater School District, Northwest Sportsfishing Industry Association, Northwest Marine Trade Association as well as many local businesses and fishing guides.

Please include $10 million in the 2015-2017 Capital Budget for the Deschutes River Hatchery.

Sincerely Yours,

Nello Picinich, Executive Director CCA Washington

CC: Director Jim Unsworth, WDFW Senator Linda Parlette Senator Kirk Pearson Senator Senator John Braun Senator Senator Representative Sam Hunt Representative Chris Reykdal Representative Dan Griffey Representative Drew MacEwen Representative Ed Orcutt

CONSERVATION & PROTECTION OF MARINE LIFE 1006 West 11th Street | Vancouver, WA 98660 | p 877.255.8772 | f 877.255.8774 | ccawashington.org