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Predator control program to continue

Chelan County PUD
News Release
3/27/2006

Fishing for northern pikeminnow to reduce the predators that threaten young migrating salmon and steelhead will continue this summer, PUD commissioners decided Monday.

Commissioners approved a $263,375 contract with a branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture for pikeminnow fishing in the Rocky Reach and Rock Island reservoirs.

Last summer the USDA fishermen caught 39,818 pikeminnow in the two reservoirs, said Steve Hemstrom, PUD fisheries biologist. The PUD has contracted with the federal agency for pikeminnow control since 1994.  

A separate program that uses long-line fishing to catch pikeminnow in deeper water during the winter removed another 20,000 large pikeminnow last year and is in progress again this year. The PUD also supports the annual East Wenatchee Rotary Pikeminnow Derby, which had a catch of nearly 4,000 more pikeminnow in just two days in 2005.

Hemstrom said predator control is an important tool for meeting the PUD’s Habitat Conservation Plan goal of no net impact on young migrating fish. 

Application OK’d for Monitor water system grant 
PUD commissioners authorized staff to apply for a $2 million state grant to help finance a possible new water system for Monitor. The application to the Community Economic Revitalization Board is for money from its Job Development Fund.

Two businesses have indicated that a new water system would help them keep jobs in Monitor, said Ron Slabaugh, PUD engineer.   

The application deadline is April 3.

In other business, commissioners:

• Approved four measures for hatchery operations and monitoring and evaluation with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. The action extends existing agreements through June 30 at costs not to exceed $1.3 million for hatchery operation and $370,000 for monitoring and evaluation. Shaun Seaman, PUD Fish and Wildlife director, said new master agreements are being negotiated and will be brought to the board for approval before June 30.   
• Met in executive session Monday morning and again Monday afternoon to discuss the qualifications of candidates applying for public employment. 

*** 

Commissioners recessed Monday’s meeting at 5:12 p.m. to continue at 6 p.m. Monday for dinner and discussion with other Mid-Columbia PUD commissioners and managers at Leonardo’s in Wenatchee. The next regular meeting of the PUD commission is at 1 p.m. Monday, April 3, 2006, in the boardroom, 327 N. Wenatchee Ave.

Most PUD commission meetings are recorded, and a link to the audio is available on the PUD’s home page at www.chelanpud.org.

Kimberlee Craig
Public Information Officer
661-4320, direct line
679-6858, cell
kimc@chelanpud.org