Environmentalists and government agencies don't help their cause to force compliance at all costs. And water users are smart to seek answers rather than have them imposed, especially in light of claims that the Walla Walla deal could lead to more Northwest water rulings that keep water in streams. Cooperative efforts will go a long way toward convincing federal regulators that the Northwest is working to save its fish. And the heat is on to prove that mettle following Tuesday's release of new rules from the National Marine Fisheries Service that encourage local and state governments to write up their own plans for protecting salmon rather than wait for the agency to force compliance. The region should take note of the way progress was made in the Walla Walla basin.
Timely compromise beats endless ultimatums when it comes to saving fish on the brink of extinction.
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