Two join hatchery complex in Cook

A Texas native, Jackson, his wife Jeannie, a school teacher, son Rawley, 4 and daughter Zoe, 2 braved recent snowstorms on the trek north to their new duty station.

"We're still hibernating" said Jackson, as he and his family adjust to an environment dramatically different than Arizona.

Jackson has an extensive background in the culture of endangered fishes that he can readily apply at his new duty station.

Located four miles above the Little White Salmon hatchery and Drano Lake, the Willard hatchery serves as the coho salmon facility within the two station complex.

In his new position, Jackson will be responsible for day to day operations and staff supervision to accomplish the production of two million coho salmon for release into the Little White Salmon River and for transfer to the Yakima and Wenatchee River watersheds in Washington.

Mary Stad is the new fishery biologist at the Little White Salmon hatchery.

She recently transferred from the Stanley Basin area of Idaho where she worked for the Idaho Department of Fish & Game.

In her new position, Stad will assist with the production of spring chinook salmon and upriver bright fall chinook salmon for release into the Little White Salmon River and for transfer to acclimation sites on the Yakima and Umatilla rivers.

Stad will oversee the Umatilla River spring chinook program, a program designed to assist with the development of locally adapted broodstock on this Oregon river.

Eggs taken from fish returning to the Umatilla are shipped to Little White Salmon for rearing and transfer back to acclimation ponds for eventual release. Cold water temperatures and new hatchery facilities at Little White Salmon provide ideal conditions for the rearing of spring chinook to help with this partnership restoration effort.

Having grown up on the Hudson River in upstate New York, Stad said "Having the Columbia River so close reminds me of home."

Her husband Glenn is currently finishing his course work at the University of Montana where he majors in Geographical Information Systems.