Just got an E-mail that evreyone interested
in saving Reiter's hatchery should read!
My friend Gary Bee just got back from a
important meeting about Reiter's and had
great news! Here it is.
Rod,
Just got out of a meeting at DFW, Mill Creek concerning Reiter's status. In
attendance was from DFW: Director Dr. Koenings, Chuck Phillips, Bob Everett,
Doug Hatfield, Mark Schaefer, Curt Kraemer and the Hatchery Operations
Manager whose name I forgot (she didn't the sign-up sheet either but
otherwise seemed competent). Wildlife Commissioner Pete Van Gytenbeek (sp?);
Senator Val Stevens, Reps Koster, Dunshee, O'Brien & McAuiliffe; and your
locale sports nuts like Bob Heirman, Frank Urabeck, John Kuljis, John Kelly,
Rick Michael & Jim Hearn and myself.

Basically what it boiled down to was that Director Koenings needs a "co-op"
to keep Reiter going. Dr. Koenings has agreed to keep Reiter open till
January 1, 2000. In the meantime the recreational (or general public) has
agreed to show support by securing funds of approximately $25,000 to 30,000.
I have agreed to start a fund for the "Reiter Ponds Project." I will be
working closely with all the Sports Groups including Bob Heirman from the
Snohomish Sportsman Club. Our immediate contact within DFW will be Bob
Everitt at the Mill Creek office. We don't have to raise all the money in a
week or a month but need to get started this summer. Other Information and
possible options will be available as we go. Dr Koenings made it clear that
this is not intended to be a "one-time Band-Aid" remedy but rather an ongoing
commitment. This means we need to either continue to raise money for Reiter
or make sure that the Legislature in the future designates funds specifically
for Reiter. So lets go to work!
Gary Bee
Sky Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Anyone interested in helping in this cause
with donations or peoplepower get a hold
of me Rod Bush rvrotter@gte.net
425-334-6318

WOOHOO!

Well done!

It is good to here Director Koenings acknowledge he is not looking for a "band-aid" fix to this problem.

But, once again, we must keep focused on the legislature in the future to get the stability and funding we sportsmen deserve and have paid for over and over. But, this is certainly a step in the right direction!

This is good news! What about the N.F Stilly summer-run program?

Crackerjack, Thanks for the post. Is there any word if keeping Reiter open means they will still supply summer run plants to other streams such as the NF Silly, Snoqualimie? I believe they stopped supplying plants a year or two ago, I wonder if this means a few summers without a summer run fishery?

Got idea to raise money...Put a secured collection box a Reiter...done right with "write up" at box and maybe some type of inexpensive tool...ie...thermometer, etc

Charge 25 cents to fish there. I've see the place on weekends, that alone could support the hatchery.

When this crisis first arose this winter, I proposed a nominal $1.00 tax when buying fishing gear as a way to fund not only Reiter but all the state's hatcheries that are in budget trouble.

Remember, Reiter isn't the only hatchery getting butchered.

Think about it. You pay a buck and a half to two bucks for a dozen shrimp!

This tax would be earmarked strictly for hatchery/sportfish funding and forever put to rest this legislative budget BS

What a concept! Hatcheries operating with a stable funding base year in and year out. They could crank out opportunity for us and we could shift our energy to other issues (and fishing!)

I proposed this to my local rep. and everyone else at WDFW and anyone else who would listen. As usual, WDFW said nothing and my local rep. was sympathetic but just provided lip service-no results.

What about going back to the way it used to be. Licence and card monies going to the fisheries not into the general fund. Then we wouldn't have to ask for money ever year. Get on our reps for that.

Thanks to all of you that helped get this
done by writing, calling, and e-mailing the right folks!! A collection box is scheduled
to go up at Reiter's already. Good idea!
It will be voluntary though. Can't force people to pay for this. Other ideas are button, sticker sales that show your support for Reiter's. It worked before!
Any good sale or donation ideas let me know. THANKS!!!