Gluesenkamp Perez Calls For The Reopening Of The Skamania Hatchery

Washington Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is urging state officials to reopen a Southwest Washington fish hatchery that shut down late last year.

In a letter to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Kelly Susewind, Gluesenkamp Perez said the state is not fully using federal funding available for hatchery operations.  She points to support she helped secure through the Mitchell Act, which provides money for Columbia Basin hatcheries.

The Congresswoman is calling for the Skamania Hatchery to reopen and operate alongside the North Toutle facility, saying hatcheries are critical to the region’s economy and culture.  She argues the closure has reduced steelhead and cutthroat trout production, hurting recreational fishing and local businesses.

Gluesenkamp Perez has also backed funding for dredging at the Port of Chinook and efforts to manage sea lion populations to protect fish runs.

Click Here to read the entire letter sent to Susewind.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com