Army Corps Required to Limit Hot Water Pollution from Lower Snake Dams
In September the EPA issued discharge permits to the Army Corps of Engineers that will limit hot water and oil pollution stemming from the four Lower Snake River dams. This is a significant step in the effort to cool down river temperatures that are lethal to migrating salmon and steelhead, and a culmination of IRU’s work over the last 30 years to hold dam operators accountable to the Endangered Species Act.
Drought and Hot Water Spell Trouble for Native Fish
A low winter snowpack that melted off more rapidly than normal, followed by extreme temperatures, has left much of the state hot and dry. Our river systems and lakes are no exception, with this summer’s warm water conditions hurting native fish populations.
Idaho’s salmon are poised to thrive in a warmer world….if they can be recovered first
Climate change poses a range of threats to river systems across the globe; the Northwest is no exception. However, Idaho’s salmon are uniquely positioned to be quite resilient to living in a warmer world, and may be the key to reestablish salmon throughout the Columbia River Basin.
EPA Releases Overdue Plan for Hot Water Killing Salmon in Columbia-Snake Rivers
After two decades, the EPA has released a long-overdue plan to address hot water killing salmon in the Columbia and Snake River.
WA Sets Temperature Limits for Federally Managed Columbia and Snake River Dams to Protect Salmon
For the first time, Washington State has exercised its authority to set temperature and pollution regulations for the 8 federally managed Columbia-Snake River dams to save imperiled salmon. WA has issued 401 Clean Water Act Certifications that set TMDLs (Total Maximum Daily Load) for oil pollution and temperature
Press Release: EPA Further Delays Addressing Temperature Pollution from Snake and Columbia River Dams
March 4, 2020 (Seattle, WA)—Instead of taking action to address the hot water crisis killing salmon in the Columbia and Snake rivers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today seeks additional delay.
IRU, Advocates for the West, and Partners Secure Victory for Salmon & Steelhead: Ninth Court upholds that EPA must reduce Columbia and Snake River Temperatures
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling on December 20th was an important victory for Idaho’s salmon and steelhead. This ruling ensures that federal environmental regulators will be forced to uphold the standards outlined in the Clean Water Act and lower water temperatures in the Columbia River.