Looking head to July 1, Guy Norman suspects he’ll be mowing his lawn. He might also play some with his grandchildren.
What he won’t be doing — for the first time in more than two decades — is managing Columbia River fisheries. Norman, 61, will retire on June 30 from his job as regional director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
It ends a 38-year career that included stints managing Columbia River fisheries for both the Washington and Oregon departments of Fish and Wildlife.
He’s been a decision maker for each state in the Columbia River Compact process and Washington’s lead negotiator with the treaty tribes in developing the Columbia River Fish Management Plan.
He’s played an instrumental role in most Columbia River fish issues since 1995.
Norman started in 1977 for the former Washington Department of Fisheries as a scientific aide capturing and tagging wild fall chinook juveniles in the North Fork of the Lewis River.
“It’s a lot more complex now than it was in the 1970s and 1980s,’’ Norman said, looking back at Columbia River fish management. “There were fewer players involved then.’’
Beginning in 1991, many Columbia River salmon and steelhead stocks got listed under the federal Endangered Species Act.
“Post ESA, the stakes got higher,’’ he said. “The federal government, utilities, ports, farmers, irrigators and so many other agencies expanded their roles and input in salmon management.’’
Next year is scheduled to be a benchmark year in the Columbia River.
Reforms adopted by the Washington and Oregon fish and wildlife commissions in 2013 call for elimination of gillnets in the lower Columbia mainstem in favor of alternative methods of commercial harvest.
Many questions remain, including if the purse seines and beach seines which would replace gillnets for commercial harvest have too high of mortality rates on released wild salmon and steelhead. Or, if adequate off-channel areas will be available on the Washington side of the river for commercial fishermen.
A comprehensive review of the 2013 through 2016 transition period is planned this fall.
“I think the foundation, the principles, of the plan will be continued,’’ he said. “There will be some details and specifics likely will need to be addressed to meet all the objectives.’’
Chinook salmon in particular in the Columbia River have made huge recoveries during the time span of Norman’s career.
Fishing targeting on upper Columbia-Snake-origin spring chinook salmon was closed for more than 30 years. Fishing on upper Columbia summer chinook was closed for 40 years. Both resumed in the early to mid- 2000s.
“We’ve had record opportunities for sport fishing for chinook, fisheries we never had for decades,’’ Norman said.
Recovery plans, cooperative agreements with the treaty tribes, selective fishing (keep hatchery fish only) along with some good ocean conditions and improved salmon survival all contributed, he said.
What the future will bring is uncertain, however.
Competition for the fish is keen and warm-water conditions in the ocean in recent years may result in smaller fish runs, he said
“You can’t control the ocean,’’ he said.
Progress has been made in removing more and more sea lions that prey upon salmon at Bonneville Dam, Norman said, acknowledging the continuing growth of marine mammal populations in the lower Columbia.
When it comes to marine mammals, it’s necessary to get a national perspective, he said.
“You don’t have to go very far from the Northwest and support for managing predation on salmon disappears,’’ he said.
Norman’s job includes managing all aspects of fish and wildlife in Clark, Skamania, Klickitat, Cowlitz , Wahkiakum and Lewis counties. He said about one-third of his time is spent dealing with issues other than fish.
A hot-button issue that potentially could land on the desk of his successor is the recolonization of wolves in Southwest Washington.
“I think we should expect wolves to make their way over the Cascades in the not-too-distant future,’’ Norman said. “It’s not much of a journey. Mount St. Helens historically was inhabited by wolves.’’
Another wildlife issue — hoof disease in Southwest Washington elk — continues to be a challenge.
“We’re still trying to determine the prevalence, the effect on the population, can they still produce and raise calves, and just what are the implications on the populations,’’ he said.
Other wildlife illnesses such as hair-loss syndrome in deer and tuberculosis in bighorn sheep persist, but have not decimated the populations.
“USDA (Department of Agriculture) has been looking for a vaccine for the treponeme bacteria (suspected cause of elk hoof disease) for a lot of years,’’ Norman said. “If there was one, what’s the practicality? We don’t have an effective way to treat the elk. The reality is we’ll try to manage and contain it.’’
What would he want to tell his successor?
“Be patient. Be collaborative. Try to respect all positions. There are diverse interests, so build trusting relationships, build a healthy relationship with our tribal partners. Treat your staff well….There are so many vested interests in salmon management and your decisions affect human beings and their quality of life. You need a full appreciation of that.’’
