(BOISE) Idaho Gov. Brad Little’s workgroup on salmon and steelhead recovery met for the third time Sept. 19 and 20. Workgroup members gathered in Lewiston to tour Nez Perce tribal fish restoration projects, the Port of Lewiston, Dworshak dam and fish hatchery, and to build expertise and collaboration among different communities and interests.
Workgroup member Justin Hayes, executive director of the Idaho Conservation League, said, “We thank all of our hosts for guiding us on tours of their facilities. We welcomed the opportunity to talk to all of them especially Port of Lewiston officials to get a better understanding of the Port’s importance to farmers and others who rely on barge transportation.”
Hayes added, “ We look forward to working further with Port officials and other interested stakeholders as we collaborate and work together in Gov. Little’s salmon workgroup. It’s critically important that we all gain a better understanding of each other’s interests while keeping in mind the crisis facing Idaho’s fish. We’ve only just begun to understand each other’s different views, learn our available options, and focus on the hard work that lies ahead to finding a real, sustainable solution that brings back salmon and steelhead in healthy, abundant numbers.”
This is the third meeting of Gov. Little’s salmon workgroup. Meetings are also scheduled for Twin Falls and Boise later this year. Members of the workgroup expect to continue meeting throughout 2020.
ICL is working to save Idaho’s salmon and steelhead. Idaho’s iconic fish populations are spiraling toward extinction despite the hard work of many local communities. If Idaho loses salmon and steelhead, not only will these species perish, an integral part of Idaho’s history, culture, economy and outdoors life will also disappear. Bold action is needed now to develop solutions together that will keep communities whole and not leave Idahoans behind.
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