Gluesenkamp Perez Pushes State Leaders To Reopen Skamania Fish Hatchery

WASHINGTON D.C. — Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is encouraging the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to bring the Skamania Hatchery back into operation after its abrupt and unpopular closure at the end of last year. 

In a letter to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Kelly Susewind, Gluesenkamp Perez argues that the state is failing to put to use federal funds that she helped secure for hatcheries like the Skamania Hatchery. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, the Congresswoman helped secure Mitchell Act funding to help with operations and maintenance of Columbia Basin hatcheries.  

“I strongly urge your support in reopening the hatchery and ensuring its continued operation alongside the North Toutle Hatchery,” wrote Gluesenkamp Perez, in a letter to Susewind.

“In Southwest Washington, hatcheries are foundational to our cultural heritage and economic prosperity. The decision to shutter the Skamania Hatchery has reduced steelhead and cutthroat trout production in the Columbia River and nearby tributaries and lakes, disrupting recreational fishing in the area and costing the region a key source of economic and cultural vitality,” added Gluesenkamp Perez.

The full letter to Susewind can be found here.The Congresswoman has brought home funds to dredge the Port of Chinook near the mouth of the Columbia River to support commercial fishing, protecting more than 100 jobs and $50 million in annual catch volume and adding capacity. She has been a leading voice in Congress about exploring new ways to protect the health of fish runs by keeping invasive sea lions populations in check.

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