I am pleased to share an important update about the future of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Western Fisheries Research Center (WFRC) operations in the Columbia River Gorge. The U.S. Geological Survey has acquired a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) facility in Willard, Washington that was previously the home of the USFWS Lower Columbia Fish Health Center. This facility, located approximately two miles north of our current Columbia River Research Laboratory in Cook, Washington, will become the new home for WFRC operations in the Columbia River basin.   USFWS graciously provided this facility, and US Forest Service, who owns the property, facilitated the transfer of lease rights to the location. USFWS is also contributing use of some space at Willard National Fish Hatchery as needed to complete specific research activities that require rearing and handling fish. Renovation of the Willard facility will begin later this spring, and we hope to move in before the start of the new year.…