Governor Little’s Salmon Workgroup Final Recommendations Released
In early January, the Governor’s Office released the Salmon Workgroup’s final policy recommendations report.
PRESS RELEASE: Fishing, Conservation Groups Return to Court to Challenge Latest Failed Plan for Columbia-Snake Salmon
Portland, OR – Today, Earthjustice on behalf of a coalition of fishing and conservation groups returned to court to challenge the latest federal plan for hydropower operations on the Snake and Columbia Rivers…This is the eighth incarnation of this long legal fight to restore endangered salmon and steelhead.
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.
Despite Covid-19, DEIS Process for Columbia-Snake Hydrosystem Largely Unchanged
While our day to day lives have been radically altered by the spread of COVID-19, the federal government’s DEIS process continues to roll on, largely unchanged.
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.
For Immediate Release: Energy And Conservation Leaders Call On Elected Officials To Prioritize Urgent Snake River Issues
SEATTLE—In a letter to the Governors of Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana, energy company and conservation community leaders called on elected officials across the Pacific Northwest to prioritize collaborative solutions to address the issues surrounding the Lower Snake River, including the long-term decline of salmon and steelhead populations.
Updates in Politics and Policy for Salmon & Steelhead: January 2020
January saw political processes related to salmon recovery resume in both Idaho and Washington.
Late last December, Washington Governor Jay Inslee’s office released a draft Lower Snake River Dams Stakeholder Engagement Report. The report contained major takeaways gained from a months-long interview process. Interviewees provided differing responses to questions on what dam breaching would…
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.
Poor Steelhead Returns Impact Treasure Valley Residents: No Boise River Steelhead Stock This Year
Treasure Valley residents will feel the impacts of low steelhead runs in their own backyard this year. For the first time in 20 years, Boise locals won’t have the chance to reel in a steelhead on the Boise River.
Echoing last year’s trends, the 2019 steelhead runs are reaching historic lows at roughly 40% of the 10-year average.
Scientists Alert Policymakers in Letter That Urgent Action is Needed to Cool River Waters to Prevent Salmon Extinction
On Oct 22, fifty-five unaffiliated scientists sent a letter to policymakers in Washington State, Idaho, and Oregon urging action to address high water temperatures resulting from reservoirs behind dams that severely impact salmon in the Columbia and Lower Snake Rivers.