Where We Were
Salmon recovery plans have been implemented in order to sustain and reverse the decline of endangered salmon species, preserving them for future generations. These species include Chinook salmon, steelhead trout and bull trout. Salmon populations have been declining for a long period of time. Discerning the factors that contributed to this decline has been and is a lengthy process. Local, state, tribal and federal governments have been studying the processes that have contributed to dwindling salmon populations for over a decade and are currently implementing strategies for protecting and recovering salmon.
Early on the primary contributors to salmon decline were designated as the "4 H's." These are salmon habitat, harvest levels, hatchery operations and hydropower facilities. Planning processes to address contributing factors have been implemented within the state of Washington; these include:
- the Bonneville Power Administrations (BPA) Sub-basin planning process
- the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) Watershed planning process
- the NOAA Fisheries/Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) salmon recovery planning process
Additionally, planning processes are grouped into one of three ares, sub-basin planning, watershed planning and salmon recovery planning.