Environmentalists have criticized the rules for allowing too much latitude by local officials. But proponents say allowing greater local control will likely result in more support by those affected by the regulations. The group visited Skyline and Wolf Creek irrigation areas and the Winthrop fish hatcheries after an earlier morning tour of Salmon Creek in the Okanogan basin. June 19 also marked the end of a 60-day notice by attorneys for local activist Lee Bernheisel and environmental groups to file suit forcing NMFS to release final biological opinions. After more than a year after saying some ditches jeopardized listed fish, NMFS has yet to issue final opinions.
Officials say the delay is due to continuing refinement of data in talks with ditches.