Press Release
Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Reintroduction of Bull Trout into Clackamas River
As part of a broad effort to recover the threatened bull trout, the Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to reintroduce this native fish species to the upper Clackamas River. A public comment period on the proposal is open until February 8, 2010. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and U.S. Forest Service are cooperators in the proposed project.
The reintroduced fish would be designated as a "nonessential experimental" population, under the Endangered Species Act. This classification precludes anyone who accidentally kills or harms the fish from being in violation of the law, provided that this happens as part of an otherwise lawful activity. Federal projects will not be altered or stopped to protect these fish, and sport fishing in accordance with Oregon regulations would not result in a violation of the Endangered Species Act if a bull trout was harmed.
The reintroduced fish would be designated as a "nonessential experimental" population, under the Endangered Species Act. This classification precludes anyone who accidentally kills or harms the fish from being in violation of the law, provided that this happens as part of an otherwise lawful activity. Federal projects will not be altered or stopped to protect these fish, and sport fishing in accordance with Oregon regulations would not result in a violation of the Endangered Species Act if a bull trout was harmed.
