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Oregon, Washington and tribes head back to court after Trump pulls out of deal to recover salmon

On Friday, lawyers for conservation groups, Native American tribes, and the states of Oregon and Washington returned to court seeking changes to Snake and Columbia Rivers dam operations after a landmark pact collapsed.
Citing the Endangered Species Act, plaintiffs argue current dam operations violate the law and have caused salmon declines that threaten tribal lifeways and identity.
They asked the court to lower reservoir levels and increase spill to help juvenile fish bypass turbines, naming Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose, Lower Granite, Bonneville, The Dalles, John Day and McNary dams, noting impacts on river commerce.
The federal government said the plaintiffs' request is a `sweeping scheme to wrest control` and warned court orders could compromise safety and `raise rates for utility customers`, while the White House called earlier proposals `radical environmentalism`.
Historically, the Columbia River Basin produced at least 16 stocks of salmon and steelhead, but today four are extinct and seven endangered, affecting killer whales and river commerce in Lewiston, Idaho.

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Oregon, Washington and tribes head back to court after Trump pulls out of deal to recover salmon

Lawyers for conservation groups, Native American tribes, and the states of Oregon and Washington are returning to court to seek changes to dam operations on the Snake and Columbia Rivers.

8 hours ago·United States

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