Salmon recovery: Address primary problems

Re: “Swinomish tribe files notice of intent to sue EPA over warming WA streams” [Feb. 22, Climate Lab]:

The article by Isabella Breda ignores crucial details about salmon restoration. The Swinomish tribe’s lawsuit relating to stream temperature suggests, as earlier Seattle Instances reporting has, that habitat is the essential subject on Chinook restoration. Habitat is extraordinarily vital and stream temperature is a part of that. Lots of of thousands and thousands have been spent on habitat within the final a long time and way more is spent yearly, however Chinook restoration nonetheless struggles.

Science reviews make it clear why. We might restore each inch of pure habitat and it could solely have a marginal impression on Chinook numbers. That’s as a result of the first points at this time are ocean circumstances and predation. Washington farmers have lengthy supported stream restoration, contributing to the 925 miles of streams restored and 6 million bushes planted. We assist the scale and design of buffers represented by finest science, which cut back temperature whereas enabling farmland to maintain producing meals. The Swinomish tribe has chosen to not assist these voluntary efforts.

Harbor seals in our space alone devour greater than 24 million Chinook per 12 months. Habitat enhancements ought to and can proceed, however we should always not anticipate Chinook restoration with out addressing the first issues.

Jason Vander Kooy, Mount Vernon