Blog: Muckleshoot Tribe celebrates start of permanent hatchery

Wednesday, September 21, 2011  

';It was a joyous occasion this morning (Tuesday, Sept. 20) on the upper stretch of the Cedar River just below Landsburg Dam.

With the trickling sounds of the nearby river filling the air, and the warmth of a autumn sun rising above, state Fish and Wildlife officials, Seattle City Council Members, Muckelshoot Tribal members, Seattle Public Utilities employees, City of Renton officials, and all those other stakeholders who've had a hand in seeing the permanent Cedar River Hatchery come to fruition were gathered for the dedication.

After more than two decades worth of filed lawsuits, and planning upon planning, the $7.9-million hatchery facility - which hopes to boost sockeye runs in the near future - has been finally completed.

A temporary hatchery in place since 1991 had the capacity to produce 17 million fry, but only did it once during that period. The permanent hatchery could produce 34 million fry.

That temporary hatchery made sport and tribal fisheries possible in 1996, 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006."

Get the Story:
Reel Time Fishing Northwest: Cedar River Hatchery dedication the start of what many hope boosts future sockeye populations (The Seattle Times 9/20)