Spring Chinook released on the White River Members of local boards view acclimation site

LEAVENWORTH, Wash. - This week 40,000 spring Chinook smolts were released from temporary acclimation tanks on the White River. The release is part of a collaborative process between Grant PUD; fisheries co-managers; federal, state and local governmental officials; members of the public and other stakeholders. It is the first release of spring Chinook smolts acclimated in Grant PUD's short-term facility.

Grant PUD's temporary facility with nine portable tanks is designed to acclimate juvenile spring Chinook until 2013 when it is expected that Grant PUD's long-term facility will be ready to receive fish.

A permit application for construction of a long-term facility was submitted to Chelan County, Washington State Department of Ecology, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers this month. Once these organizations have reviewed the application, it will be available for public comment. Construction of the long-term acclimation facility is scheduled to begin in 2012.

The critically endangered White River spring Chinook is genetically distinct from other Chinook species; it is also unusual, as it is one of few Chinook populations that migrate from a glacially fed river, through a lake to reach the ocean. The spring Chinook released this week will be tracked as they make their way to the Pacific and back to spawn in three to six years.

Through its 2008 license, Grant PUD has a role in protecting salmon and steelhead populations impacted by the Priest Rapids Project, including species that spawn far above Wanapum and Priest Rapids dams.

"Grant PUD is committed to the spring Chinook program and value the trust the public, agency and tribal stakeholders have placed in us," said Grant PUD Commissioner Bob Bernd. "It is important that we fulfill our license with a sense of stewardship for the land and respect for local communities. We appreciate the many partners who helped us get to this milestone. We feel confident in this efficient design that has a light footprint on the land."

"While this program had a slow start, we can all look forward to its future," stated Chelan County Commissioner Ron Walter who is also a member of the Upper Columbia Salmon Recovery Board and Grant PUD's White River policy group. "I am encouraged by Grant County PUD`s commitment to work with local citizens on projects in Chelan County."

Grant PUD commissioners and staff plan continued communication regarding the White River Spring Chinook Program, and the neighboring Nason Creek program. Details are available online: http://www.gcpud.org/naturalResources/fishWaterWildlife/habitatHatcheries.html