Here Come the Judges – and They Like Idaho Salmon
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Here come the judges, and they like Idaho salmon. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the way hydroelectric dams are managed on the Lower Snake and Columbia Rivers is illegal because there aren’t protections for endangered Idaho salmon and steelhead making their way through those dams. Bill Sedivy with Idaho Rivers United says the ruling provides direction for the federal work-in-progress on how to keep the fish alive without compromising the way of life for people who depend on the river system…
"The federal government has to come up with a way to not only keep Idaho salmon and steelhead from going extinct, they need to come up with a way to restore these species."
The State of Idaho had joined the Bush administration on the other side of the suit, saying changes in dam operations would be bad for farming and hydro-electricity generation.
Sedivy argues that removing the dams, even partially, has to be an option on the table, and it has to include ways to compensate folks and communities who would be affected.
"[It should include] the communities and the farmers -- everyone who depends on that river system. We think that there are ways to keep people whole."
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision upheld Judge Redden’s previous ruling.
get more stories like this via email
United Nations experts are raising concerns about chemical giants DuPont and Chemours, saying they've violated human rights in North Carolina…
Social Issues
The long-delayed Farm Bill could benefit Virginia farmers by renewing funding for climate-smart investments, but it's been held up for months in …
Environment
Conservation groups say the Hawaiian Islands are on the leading edge of the fight to preserve endangered birds, since climate change and habitat loss …
Environment
April has been "Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month," but the pests don't know that. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it's the …
Health and Wellness
The 2024 Arizona Alzheimer's Consortium Public Conference kicks off Saturday, where industry experts and researchers will share the latest scientific …
Environment
Environmental groups say more should be done to protect people's health from what they call toxic, radioactive sludge. A court granted a temporary …