State to start on Grays, Elochoman steelhead plan

CATHLAMET — A public meeting will being at 6 p.m. Nov. 20 here to start the process of developing steelhead management plans for the Grays, Elochoman and several other lower Columbia tributaries.

The meeting will be at the River Street Room, 12 River St.

In addition to the Grays and Elochoman, plans will address the Chinook River along with Skamokawa, Mill, Abernathy and Germany creeks.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife hopes to enlist 10 to 15 individuals to help in the process, which will involve meetings over a six-month period in early 2015.

Cindy LeFleur, regional fish program manager, said the agency is implementing the statewide Steelhead Management Plan throughout the Columbia River Basin.

Three work groups already have completed their deliberations and sent recommendations on plans for tributaries from the Toutle River upstream to the Wind River.

Each plan considers natural production goals, wild steelhead gene banks, hatchery operations, fishing regulations and other issues.

Nominations for the coastal work group are due to the department by Dec. 31.

A nomination form is available online at wdfw.wa.gov/about/advisory/swpw/nominations.html.

The group membership will be selected by Jan. 31.