The 2023 Washington legislative session wrapped up on the evening of Sunday, April 23 and looking at the session from Wild Steelheaders United and Trout Unlimited’s perspective, it was a very productive year.
Washington Governor signs critical funding for Snake and Columbia Basins
Today, Governor Jay Inslee signed two bills that will fund studies required in the process to remove the four Lower Snake River dams.
Take Action to Reduce Harvest Impacts on Columbia River Steelhead
On Thursday, February 2, the Washington State Legislature will have its first hearing on SB 5297, the bill to limit non-tribal commercial gillnetting in the Columbia River mainstem.
Steelhead Conservation in Washington’s 2023 Legislative Session
Last week, the Washington State Legislature kicked off its 2023 legislative session. A few priorities this year that we will be working on include an important policy bill, and several funding items important to steelhead management and recovery.
Key Questions Surrounding the WDFW’s Hatchery White Paper
In Part Two of our hatchery white paper review, our Science Advisor provides further insights into the impacts of hatchery steelhead management on Washington Coastal systems.
Legislation Introduced to Remove Non-Tribal Gillnets from the Lower Columbia Mainstem
Kicking off the start of the 2023 Washington Legislative session, Senator Van De Wege (D-24) has introduced a new piece of legislation at the request of Governor Inslee that would permanently remove non-tribal commercial gillnet fisheries from the Washington side of the Lower Columbia River.
NOAA recommends an estimated $20M in funding for Trout Unlimited fish passage work
Last week, the NOAA Restoration Center recommended an estimated $20 million in funding for TU’s fish passage work, which includes our steelhead restoration efforts in both Washington and California.
Meet The Team: Greg Fitz
Earlier this fall, we welcomed Greg Fitz to the Wild Steelheaders United team. Fitz is the West Coast Communications Director for Trout Unlimited and in this role works to highlight TU’s conservation, restoration, and advocacy efforts across California, Oregon, and Washington.
A Wake-Up Call for the Washington Coast
A long-anticipated petition to list the Olympic Peninsula’s wild steelhead under the protections of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has been submitted to federal agencies.
Dirt low and slotted up: Coastal Washington recap
WSU ambassador, Lee Geist, shares his winter report from the Washington coast and provides his reflections on the current management quagmire.