1. BPA BEGINS LIMITED FISH SPILL AT LOWER COLUMBIA DAMS Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 (PST)

The Bonneville Power Administration began spilling water at two lower Columbia River dams this week to help juvenile salmon safely negotiate the dams on their journey to the ocean. The federal power marketing agency made the decision to begin spill despite not having a final assurance from Grant County Public Utility District that it could trade spill for power later in the spring and summer. Read More...

2. METHOW AGREEMENT TO ALLOW HATCHERY FISH TO SPAWN Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 (PST)

The term "surplus hatchery fish" has, at least for this year, has been erased from the Methow Basin salmon management dictionary following a landmark agreement that focuses on the collection of local, naturally spawning spring chinook to replenish hatchery egg banks and lets unneeded hatchery stocks seek a spawning niche in the river's mainstem. Read More...

3. LOCKE SIGNS BILL ON HATCHERY SPAWNERS; BANS CLUBBING Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 (PST)

A bill that sponsors say would allow more hatchery salmon to spawn naturally and require the state to use hatchery salmon eggs to replenish fish runs was signed into law late Tuesday by Washington Gov. Gary Locke over the protestations of the federal agency charged with protecting and rebuilding "wild" salmon and steelhead runs. Read More...

4. ALCOA, BPA INK AGREEMENT IN EFFORT TO REDUCE LOAD, RATES Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 (PST)

The Bonneville Power Administration Wednesday announced an agreement with Alcoa that will curtail operations at the Alcoa Ferndale (Intalco) plant for up to two years and compensate workers in the interim. Read More...

5. BUSH ENERGY PLAN: STREAMLINE HYDRO LICENSING Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 (PST)

In announcing his much anticipated energy plan, President George Bush on Thursday did not propose short-term measures to address high electricity prices and drought in the Northwest. Read More...