Reader Mark Snyder of Montgomery County Maryland is both a supporter of the Inter County Connector tollroad and a fervent riverine conservationist and trout fisher. Though he agrees that the trout and the tollroad can live together, he takes issue with us too:

"I was reading your article http://tollroadsnews.info/artman/publish/article_837.shtml The photo you identified on your site as a brown trout is actually a brook trout and sadly, due to loss of trees along streams in the North East and Mid Atlantic area most water is now too warm and not pure enough to support these native gems.

"The stocking of brown trout began in the 1880s and although they are treated as an invasive species in brook trout water, brown trout are the only option in many areas where the brookies once swam. If they are reproducing naturally, the are referred to as wild trout, which are treasured by many fly fisherman.

"As long as they are not decimating a native trout population they are certainly not considered "invasive". The Great Smoky Mountains, like the Shenandoah National Park, is home to a threatened brook trout population and that is why they are being eradicated. In my home state of PA, the wild browns on the Letort and Penns Creek among others, are more valuable than gold and even hinting that they are invasive pests would get you thrown into the stream.

"You grossly overstated the brown trouts ability to survive adverse conditions and development. They can survive more tepid water and some pollutants better than the classic "canary in a coal mine" that is the brook trout, but they are by no means a "tough critter". I would consider a bass or a bluegill a "tough critter" as I have taken them in absolutely filthy, polluted streams all over Montgomery and PG counties. Wild brown trout are a treasure that we can't afford to lose. We have already screwed up our brook trout habitat beyond repair and losing this resource would be one more huge step in the wrong direction.

"That said, I truly believe there are options. By controlling runoff and maintaining cover, they can be saved even with the ICC. Look to the success of the Gunpowder River in MD. I am your target audience, a moderate man who takes into consideration all views before making a decision. Your article seemed a bit slanted and mean spirited. When you insulted the "greens" I took offense. I think that was a mistake.

"A few google searches don't provide sufficient information to make an assessment on the value of wild brown trout in the Paint Branch. Talk to the fly fisherman. I am sure you will find them to be a politically diverse, thoughtful group. We represent all political parties (both Dick Cheney and Jimmy Carter are avid fly fisherman) If you solve the brown trout dilemma, I can guarantee you will convince at least one more person that the ICC is a good idea that should be considered.

MORE:The illustrations are from the USFGS library - Duane Raver originals.

"The first fish (green one) is a native brook trout. Their native range is the North Eastern US down to NC. They are a truly precious and threatened species that can't tolerate any pollutants or rises in acidity. Oddly, they are not a true "trout" but a char. Where they still swim they often share the water with brown trout and even cross breed to produce the rare "tiger trout".

"The second fish is a wild brown trout and the subject of our letters. The wild browns are much more colorful than stocked fish. They are still a cold water fish but can tolerate some run off. They are native to Europe (especially Germany and were introduced to the US in the 1880s) More native than most Americans! The are prized for their intelligence and selectivity. Very challenging fish.

"The final fish is a rainbow trout, native to the pacific northwest. They are heavily stocked in Maryland's "put and take" programs. They rarely reproduce in the wild in the North East and are the staple to fishing derbies everywhere.

Snyder is with Nativebrooktrout.com email: mark@nativebrooktrout.com

TOLLROADSnews 2007-02-27