Right now, Oregon legislators are considering Senate Bill 512A, which would allocate $1.4 million to restore hatchery programs associated with Rock Creek Hatchery and conduct studies on predation and rearing practices in the Umpqua basin.
This might sound reasonable until you look at the facts:
ODFW's own comprehensive assessment ranked Rock Creek Hatchery LAST among all state-owned hatcheries based on pre-fire performance
The economic analysis showed Rock Creek's programs were among the most costly per fish harvested in the entire state
Excessive straying of hatchery spring Chinook in the North Umpqua is harming wild fish sustainability and reducing harvest opportunities—with a mandatory program review scheduled for next year, funding should wait until these impacts are addressed.
Without a strategic framework, we're allocating scarce resources to underperforming facilities and detrimental programs simply because they existed in the past, not because they represent the best path forward.
While proposing to spend more on this failed hatchery, ODFW faces revenue shortfalls requiring $1.9 million in cuts to critical monitoring programs that are vital to implementing sustainable fisheries and ensuring the conservation of self-sustaining fish populations.
A Better Approach Exists:
Oregon Coast coho salmon have rebounded dramatically through habitat restoration, harvest reforms, and reductions in hatchery releases. This successful model could be applied to the Umpqua watershed, but not if we keep throwing good money after bad.
Take Action Now:
Fill out and submit the letter below and urge Oregon legislators to vote NO on SB 512A.
Every voice counts! It takes just 2 minutes to make your voice heard and help guide Oregon toward an approach that actually works for our fish, watersheds, and Oregonians.
Want more details? For an even deeper dive into SB 512A, you can read our written testimony to the Oregon legislature here and a case study of SB 512A here.