WRIA 62 WMP 032305 - Washington State Department of Ecology

March, 2005 -67- 023-1289-003.3040
4.3 Background and Rationale for Habitat Issues
The following section provides background information for the habitat issues.
4.3.1 H-1 Background and Rationale
Problem Statement: There is a need to continue coordination of aquatic habitat programs
within WRIA 62.
The WRIA 62 Planning Unit opted to address habitat as a component of the planning process.
Therefore, as per the Watershed Planning Act (RCW 90.82.100), the Plan must be integrated with
strategies developed under other processes to respond to potential and actual listings of salmon and
other fish species listed as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA)
as well as rely on existing laws, rules and ordinances in place to protect, restore or enhance fish
habitat.
The WRIA 62 Planning Unit acknowledges that habitat programs and fisheries management
approaches and activities by various agencies in WRIA 62 are not always well coordinated and may,
in some circumstances, conflict. However, there is general consensus among the Planning Unit
members that aquatic habitat management is critical to the maintenance and recovery of the various
species that are important to the Planning Unit members. As examples, the Kalispel Tribe runs a bass
hatchery and Pend Oreille County promotes sport-fishing in the Comprehensive Plan and believes
that bass, brown trout and Eastern brook trout (which are non-native fish) are an important part of the
Pend Oreille County outdoor lifestyle.
There was discussion among Planning Unit members about fish population management. WDFW
stated that fish population management is outside the scope of watershed planning. However, there
are some activities that may result in fish population management which are also considered by
WDFW as habitat restoration. For example, an activity addressing fish passage that provides for
connectivity of stream habitat may have fish management implications which WDFW would address
as a separate issue. In addition, non-native fish removal may support the values of habitat
improvement projects, but is not a habitat improvement project per se. WDFW suggested that the
Planning Unit consider language such as, "Fish population management and habitat improvement
activities can be/should be coordinated to provide the highest benefit to both populations and habitat".
The Kalispel Tribe believes that habitat includes all physical, chemical and biological components of
niche space occupied and that therefore non-native fish removal may be considered as a habitat
improvement.
Following the discussion, the Planning Unit made the decision to support strategies developed by the
Pend Oreille Salmonid Recovery Team that are also agreed to by the Implementing Body with the
exception of projects addressing management of fish populations. The Planning Unit believes that
coordinating with the Pend Oreille Salmonid Recovery Team does not mean that the Watershed
Planning Implementing Body has to or will agree with all the activities of the Pend Oreille Salmonid
Recovery Team. The following paragraphs provide additional information on the efforts of the Pend
Oreille Salmonid Recovery Team.
A plan for salmon recovery in Washington State was introduced in 1998 and is funded through House
Bill (HB) 2496. In 1999, bull trout was included in this plan, and as a result, WRIA 62 became
involved in native salmonid recovery planning. The Pend Oreille Conservation District was
appointed as the Lead Entity for the Pend Oreille Salmonid Recovery Team in 2000 under the Salmon
Recovery Act (Chapter 77.85 RCW).
WRIA 62 WMP 032305