To correct what it perceives to be ongoing violations of the Endangered Species Act and related court orders and management plans regarding the fair and lawful administration of Washington’s salmon season setting process, Fish Northwest sent a 60-day “Notice of Intent to Sue” to various federal and state agencies and the treaty tribes on January 29, 2020. To date, we have received no response.

During the latest North of Falcon meeting held on February 26th, 2021, the agencies made it abundantly clear to Fish Northwest and its supporters that the much-needed reforms were not forthcoming. Instead, it appears that the ongoing broken and dysfunctional salmon season setting process will continue unabated.

Therefore, it appears to Fish Northwest that a lawsuit is the only remaining way of correcting the above perceived ongoing violations of the Endangered Species Act and related court orders and management plans. Accordingly, Fish Northwest will file its lawsuit and seek relief including both preliminary and permanent injunctive relief on or about April 5th, 2021.

Brett Rosson

President, Fish Northwest