State extends comment period for Skagit steelhead farms

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. — You still have time to comment on the proposal for steelhead farms in Skagit County waters.

Cooke Aquaculture, the same company whose net pen collapsed in 2017 and released nonnative Atlantic salmon into the Puget Sound, has applied for permits to switch from raising salmon to Pacific steelhead.

According to the Skagit Valley Herald, the state is extending the public comment period until 5pm November 1st.

A spokeswoman for Fish & Wildlife said the agency extended the comment period in response to requests from those interested in expressing their views.