Waterfowlers who have ever hunted ducks on or around Ebey Island should probably feel the stirrings of suspicion at the announcement that Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has finished a draft study evaluating the feasibility of restoring salmon habitat on a portion of the island. Similar projects elsewhere — the Skagit delta is a prime example — have tended to show that if hunters can be given the short end of the stick, they will be. That if hunting must go in return for a questionable benefit to salmon, shotguns will be ushered out the door.
WDFW has scheduled a public meeting on the issue March 15 at its Mill Creek office, 16018 Mill Creek Boulevard, phone 425-775-1311, 6 to 8:30 p.m. View the draft study here.
The agency will also accept written public comment on the study, titled Ebey Island habitat Restoration Feasibility Study, through March 31. E-mail comments to Richard Tveten (Richard Tveten is the WDFW’s restoration ecologist; phone number in Olympia, 360-902-2367), or mail to 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia 98501.
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