HELENA-The use of $500,000 in so-called "ESA-Reserve funds"
has been recommended for the purchase of larger-mesh fishing nets that
would be exchanged with tribal fishers in the hope of reducing the harvest
of wild steelhead this summer.
The decision was made Wednesday "conditioned on the understanding
that an agreement to the net exchange is reached with the involved tribal
authorities before funds are spent," according to a draft letter from
Northwest Power …