Audit castigates feds on salmon plan

Associated Press

OKANOGAN — The "unnecessarily arrogant and confrontational" conduct of federal fisheries officials may have hurt salmon recovery efforts in the Pacific Northwest, an audit concludes.

But National Marine Fisheries Service officials said information is outdated in the August 2000 draft audit by the U.S. Department of Commerce Inspector General’s office.

Brian Gorman, fisheries service spokesman in Seattle, said the agency has worked to correct the problems mentioned in the audit, which was never publicly released.

"I certainly understand the criticisms, and I think a fair amount was valid," he said. "I hope that isn’t the case anymore."

Under the Endangered Species Act, the National Marine Fisheries Service is responsible for listing threatened or endangered salmon species and for making plans for their recovery.

The Okanogan County commissioners are suing the agency in federal court and sought the audit to help bolster their case.

The audit is based on interviews with 34 government, tribal and industry officials from August 1999 through June 2000. The draft audit was condensed into a four-page summary, which makes little mention of the alleged shortcomings.

Okanogan County commissioners released both documents Monday after receiving them from an anonymous source. The commissioners had unsuccessfully sought the documents through the Freedom of Information Act.

Commissioner Craig Vejraska called the final version a "whitewash."

Gorman said it’s not fair for Okanogan County commissioners to bring up criticisms more than a year after they were raised.

"This is clearly out of date and was never meant to be a final document," Gorman said of the draft audit.

Vejraska said the fisheries service tried to cover up the reports, claiming they didn’t exist, because they could strengthen the county’s lawsuit against federal agencies for shutting off Methow Valley irrigators.

The county has challenged the federal agency’s legal authority to interfere with state water rights in U.S. District Court in Spokane.

The draft audit found that in the Northwest region — which includes Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana — "poor communications, inadequate collaboration and failure to produce studies and plans are stymieing the (salmon and steelhead) recovery effort."

The inspector general’s audit called for the fisheries service to "change the tenor and tone" of its communications.

"A widespread consensus exists among federal and state agencies, tribal organizations, and the affected public that NMFS’s communications are inconsistent, unresponsive and unnecessarily arrogant and confrontational," the draft audit concluded

The draft audit also notes that those interviewed believe the agency draws scientific conclusions to provide a desired outcome.

The agency also was criticized for ignoring local fish recovery efforts, and for failing to complete biological opinions and recovery plans on time.

"We think the general public needs to know this information," Vejraska said. "It shows the tendency of NMFS not to want to cooperate and really solve the problem. They want to flex their muscle and show they can take water. NMFS doesn’t have an agenda to build fisheries, they have an agenda to control water."

Gorman said the fisheries service has worked to process permits more quickly, hired a consultant to do an internal review of its permitting process, and hired a tribal liaison.

That isn’t good enough for the commissioners, who on Monday asked the secretary of commerce to fully disclose the audit results.

Vejraska said the county also wants an explanation as to why the critical comments were not released.

"We officially requested this audit five months ago through the Freedom of Information Act," he said. "They told us they didn’t have it, but they did."

Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Jasmine Donahue talks about being a place for people leave messages when looking for family members, friends or loved ones on the street on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett extends deadline for homeless service facing closure

Hope ‘N Wellness must now comply with city zoning laws by April 30. The organization is “grateful,” its owner said, but still hopes for a permanent solution.

New Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce CEO CEO Wendy Poischbeg speaks at a kick off event on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Everett Rising’: Wednesday’s chamber luncheon to showcase a new era of growth.

The Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce is beginning its efforts… Continue reading

The Edmonds School District building on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds School District faces estimated $8.5 million deficit

The shortfall is lower than previous years, but the effects are “cumulative,” Superintendent Rebecca Miner said.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Hundreds rally against Trump on Presidents Day in Everett

People lined Broadway with signs and flags, similar to other protests across the country.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.