Green, Cascade, Nepeequa Rivers: Comment by Sept 27

[fireweed]

Ecology wants to designate these three rivers (plus Soap Lake) as outstanding water resources.  For the Green River (Skamania/Cowlitz) the nomination is to stop a mine that probably would never ever be built in the first place, but I'm concerned about unintended consequences to recreation (think limiting horse use and shutting down the horse camp, or closing the Toutle salmon hatchery, or removing all the non-native trout from the Mount Margaret lakes that feed the Green River). 

From the report on impacts:
 • While existing recreational activities have not been identified as impacting water quality
in the rivers, expansion of these activities to a degree that would impact water quality
could result in a need for additional resources or infrastructure for recreational users.
These additional resources, however, would be required under baseline regulations for
public lands and handling of waste.

https://apps.ecology.wa.gov/publications/documents/2310029.pdf
Here's the comment link: act fast.

[HntnFsh]

I dont know of a Toutle river Salmon hatchery, Do you mean the one on the Green above the confluence with the Toutle?

Also arent those lakes that were stocked with trout all private property now? What difference would it make?

[fireweed]

They call the Green River hatchery the Toutle river salmon hatchery, and the Mt Margaret Lakes are public (vs. Tradedollar, Fawn, Hanford which or on private land).  Who knows if this designation would effect fishing, but I've just seen other examples of protective designations shutting down or being used as an excuse to shut down legitimate recreation, or it makes any improvements more difficult.  Could the risk be worth it to stop a mine--maybe.

[Skyvalhunter]

Do you know of any other rivers that now have the designation of outstanding water resources? Perhaps a person could find what changes were made after they were classified with that designation

[HntnFsh]

They call the Green River hatchery the Toutle river salmon hatchery, and the Mt Margaret Lakes are public (vs. Tradedollar, Fawn, Hanford which or on private land).  Who knows if this designation would effect fishing, but I've just seen other examples of protective designations shutting down or being used as an excuse to shut down legitimate recreation, or it makes any improvements more difficult.  Could the risk be worth it to stop a mine--maybe.

Thank you for the clarification!