More on skagit
Since I was quoted in the NWF article, I feel compelled to add a bit of information. The Tribes have tried unsuccessfully to work with Skagit County for ten years to get protection for salmon and steelhead habitat throughout the Skagit River watershed. Unfortunately, the farm community owns the County commissioners, so no real change ever takes place. However, money is not really the issue here. The Feds and State have assured us that money will be made available if the farmers will agree to either sell or lease their land for salmon restoration. They will also pay for on the ground restoration efforts. No one in the farm community has stepped up, so we remain at odds. The main purpose of this post, however, is to ask that people that love and fish the Skagit get involved. I see lots of postings on lots of websites from people that fish on the Skagit. I never see these folks at public hearings, in letters to the editor, or in other places that might influence local politics. As long as those that fish the Skagit remain silent, we will continue to see a decline in the quality of fishing. Once enough people let the County commissioners know that they insist that the Skagit be protected
they will have to make different decisions if they want to stay in office. Right now, all they hear from is the farm community.
If anyone would like more information, feel free to email me and I can provide additional detail.