BiOp: Redden Rejects Independent Science Panel At This Stage; Wants To Move Ahead On Briefings Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2009 (PST)

"Independent" scientists will remain on the sideline as attorneys plunge into arguments this autumn over the legality of the latest federal Columbia/Snake river hydro system salmon protection plan. Read More...

BiOp: Irrigators Granted Status To Argue John Day Pool Issues; Montana Tribes Focus On Resident Fish Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2009 (PST)

BiOp: Irrigators Granted Status To Argue John Day Pool Issues; Montana Tribes Focus On Resident Fish The list of combatants continues to grow in litigation over how federal Columbia/Snake river dams manipulate a limited, coveted resource -- water. Read More...

New Interstate 5 Columbia River Bridge Will Require Assessment Of Impacts To Fish Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2009 (PST)

Much work needs to be done to assess potential impacts to salmon, steelhead and other species that would result if a plan to replace Portland's Interstate 5 bridge across the Columbia River moves forward, according to fish and wildlife management officials. Read More...

Yakama Nation Gets Go Ahead For Designing $36.9 Million Klickitat Hatchery Plan Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2009 (PST)

The Northwest Power and Conservation Council last week gave the go-ahead for the Yakama Nation to launch into final design for new Klickitat River subbasin hatchery facilities that have an estimated cost of $36.9 million. Read More...

Snake River Sockeye Continue Record Return To Idaho's Sawtooth Valley Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2009 (PST)

The Columbia/Snake river basin's most beleaguered salmon stock -- Snake River sockeye -- has continued its 2008 surge with total returns through Thursday nearly doubling the previous record annual return for a species now kept afloat by a hatchery captive broodstock program. Read More...

High Catch Rates Prompt Buoy 10 Salmon Fishery To Go Catch And Release Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2009 (PST)

High catch rates -- particularly of "upriver brights" -- have prompted the states Oregon and Washington to end retention of chinook salmon a week earlier than planned in the Buoy 10 fishery at the Columbia River's mouth. Read More...

Tribes' Fall Chinook Fishery Opens Above Bonneville Dam; Over-The-Bank Sales Available Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2009 (PST)

Limited sales have been ongoing, but Tuesday start of the Nez Perce, Umatilla, Warm Springs and Yakama tribes' fall commercial fishery will increase the number of chinook, coho, steelhead, walleye, shad and carp available for purchase by the public directly from tribal fishers. Read More...

Grant PUD Celebrates New License For Priest Rapids, Wanapum Dams Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2009 (PST)

At Wanapum Dam this week, elected officials, heads of governmental agencies, tribes, and the community celebrated Grant County Public Utility District's receipt of a new, 44-year federal license to operate Priest Rapids and Wanapum dams. Read More...

Coeur d'Alene Lake Kokanee Fishery Closed To Preserve Enough Adult Spawners Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2009 (PST)

The Coeur d'Alene Lake kokanee fishery will close effective Tuesday, Sept. 2, after the Labor Day weekend. Idaho Fish and Game Director Cal Groen signed the emergency closure order Monday, Aug. 13, requested by Panhandle regional fishery staff. Read More...

Bureau Of Reclamation Announces New Tribal Liaison Officer Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2009 (PST)

The Bureau of Reclamation has selected a new tribal liaison officer for the Pacific Northwest to represent the agency in working with tribes and others in implementing new agreements and related interagency programs aimed at improving Columbia River Basin fish stocks. Read More...