One group of salmon runs which can be preserved given the present level of political will is located in Washington's Puget Sound Region where the spread of asphalt and concrete is destroying spawning grounds one subdivision at a time. While the effects of logging on watersheds have been well publicized, it is only one of the many land uses harmful to salmon. It is not the worst. Urbanization, which results in the removal of trees and covers spongy topsoil with an impermeable barrier of asphalt and concrete is many times more destructive to watersheds. It is also much more permanent.
Forests can grow back after being harvested, but are gone forever after being paved over.
They may even last longer than federal bureaucracies. If environmentalists are serious about preserving salmon, they must acknowledge the effects of the cities in they live on salmon habitat. They must also recognize that the preservation of Washington's timber and agricultural industries is the best bet for salmon conservation. Farmers and timber landowners can be induced to preserve stream habitat through regulations and cooperative programs, but only if they believe there is a future for them in their respective industries. Small timber land owners, who depend on timber receipts for retirement income and family expenses such as college education pay very close attention to bad press and the regulatory environment.