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Tribal officials say hatchery closure would damage salmon restoration
efforts 2003-03-20 by
JIM MANDERS SEQUIM, WA -- Salmon restoration in the Dungeness River could be dealt a severe blow if a proposal in Gov. Gary Locke's budget to close the Hurd Creek Hatchery is carried out. ``The Hurd Creek Hatchery is a must-have if we are going to continue to restore salmon in the Dungeness and other rivers throughout the area,'' said Ann Seiter, natural resources director for the Jamestown S'Klallam tribe. The tribe provides technical assistance at the hatchery. ``Without this hatchery we will be severely restricted in what projects we can do for salmon restoration,'' Seiter said. ``Now is not the time to shut it down.'' Hurd Creek is one of three state Department of Fish and Wildlife hatcheries named for closure in the next two years in the governor's proposed budget. |