June 14, 2013
Friday AM

Dear SitNews,

I am concerned about the impact of livestock (reindeer) on the vital salmon spawning area of Ketchikan's Herring Cove. The reindeer feces and other byproducts of raising livestock or domesticated animals could runoff into the river affecting the King Salmon hatchery and wild runs of salmon. With the very close proximity of the pens and large rainfall, make it very likely byproducts will end up in the river. Livestock carry parasites that could end up in the fish.

The disposal of straw and bedding material into the flood/tidal zone could impact the fragile watershed. I know the state is very concerned with boundaries around spawning beds and salmon habitat.

As an avid Salmon fisherman the amount of money spent ($10 King stamp) to raise King salmon and the huge financial impact the loss or diminishment of just one year’s run of kings could be catastrophic to commercial fishing and the charter industries.

Is the benefit of the petting zoo worth the risk to our salmon fishery?

Josh Pinkley
Ketchikan, Alaska

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