As the Northeast regional director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), I am writing to address certain points made by Karl Meyer in his Viewpoint [“Failed salmon program doesn't deserve new life,” The Commons, Oct. 12].
While I respect Mr. Meyer's opinion about the FWS's involvement in the Atlantic salmon restoration program in the Connecticut River watershed, I must correct factual errors that I believe mislead your readers and have the potential to erode public support for the conservation of native fisheries in the river.
Central to Mr. Meyer's column was his concern that I have requested funding from Congress to make repairs at White River National Fish Hatchery in Bethel, Vt., which suffered severe damage from flooding during Tropical Storm Irene in August.
I have made no such request. I have, however, reported the cost of rebuilding the hatchery due to storm damage to the FWS's Washington office.