A RESCUE PROGRAM FOR THE ENDANGERED STEELHEAD TROUT IS SLATED TO START EARLIER THAN EXPECTED BECAUSE OF THE RAPIDLY RECEDING CARMEL RIVER. SO FAR, 40-THOUSAND OF THE TROUT HAVE BEEN SAVED. BIOLOGISTS SAY IF A DIFFERENT SOURCE OF WATER SUPPLY ISN’T UTILIZED, THAT NUMBER IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO RISE. THE PROGRAM GOT STARTED IN APRIL, ALREADY MONTHS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE. THE EARLY START IS ATTRIBUTED TO A BELOW-NORMAL WINTER AND A VERY DRY SPRING WHICH IN TURN CAUSED THE CARMEL RIVER TO RECEDE SOONER AND FARTHER CREATING A THREAT TO THE STEELHEAD POPULATION.
