Conservation Groups to Sue Feds Over Puget Sound Steelhead

SEATTLE (AP) — Five conservation groups are planning to sue the National Marine Fisheries Service, saying the federal agency failed to complete a recovery plan for imperiled Puget Sound steelhead.

Wild Fish Conservancy and others say the agency has not completed the plan, despite listing the fish as federally threatened in 2007. Such a plan sets out what needs to be done to prevent the species from going extinct. The groups filed its required notice of intent to sue last week.

A NOAA spokesman said last week the agency is reviewing the notice.

The groups worry that further delay will continue to harm the already low numbers of wild steelhead in the region.

Other groups include the Conservation Angler, International Federation of Fly Fishers Steelhead Committee, Washington Fly Fishing Club and Wild Steelhead Coalition.