Once again we have local governments feeding from the trough of State and Federal Government budgets (“New season heralds hope for fish ladder project,” The Reporter, Sept. 10).

Given the entire country is in an economic crises and people are hurting, Issaquah City Council recently decided to accept “free money” from Washington state and the Federal government so the salmon can have a new dam/fish ladder system at Issaquah Creek.

Per the article, the eventual cost of this luxury for the salmon is projected to be $3 million!

Year after year more fish than are needed for spawning purposes somehow fight their way to the ocean and back through untold dangers and obstacles.

Can’t we find better places for taxpayer dollars that benefit people, as opposed to fish?

Thomas Harsh

Sammamish