Columbia Basin Partnership Releases Final Report Stressing Urgency In Addressing Salmon, Steelhead Recovery
October 30th, 2020
The Columbia Basin Partnership Task Force released late this afternoon its final report saying there is “a strong sense of urgency that immediate action is needed to address salmon and steelhead declines in the Columbia River Basin.”
Read the Full Article
Wild Upper Columbia Spring Chinook Long Way From Recovery, Less Than 1 Percent Return To Spawning Grounds
October 30th, 2020
Wild Upper Columbia spring chinook are “pretty far from de-listing,” said Dan Rawding, Columbia River Salmon Recovery Coordinator for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, in a presentation at this month’s Northwest Power and Conservation Council meeting.
Read the Full Article
NOAA Fisheries Study Warns Climate Change Poses ‘Catastrophic’ Threat To Survival Of Endangered Snake River Sockeye
October 15th, 2020
Unusually warm river conditions killed most adult sockeye salmon migrating up the Columbia and Snake River system in 2015, reflecting a “new normal” with climate change, a new NOAA Fisheries study finds.
Read the Full Article
NW States Agree To ‘Define A Future Collaborative Framework’ For Achieving Abundance Goals For Columbia Basin Salmon/Steelhead
October 15th, 2020
In a letter Friday (Oct.9) the four Northwest states announced they have agreed to work together to rebuild Columbia River salmon and steelhead stocks and to advance the goals of the Columbia Basin Partnership Task Force.
Read the Full Article
Oregon Commission Denies Fish Passage Waiver For Crooked River’s Bowman Dam; Proposed Mitigation Not Enough For Steelhead, Salmon, Trout
October 15th, 2020
The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission voted Oct. 9 to deny a fish passage waiver for the Crooked River’s Bowman Dam in a split 5-1 vote, after hearing testimony from 28 people for and against the project. At issue is the passage of native migratory fish, such as summer steelhead, chinook salmon and redband trout.
Read the Full Article
USFWS Says New Analysis Shows No Need For ESA-Listing For Wolverines, Conservation Groups Say They Will Sue
October 15th, 2020
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has denied protection to the elusive wolverine under the Endangered Species Act, prompting a coalition of conservation groups to announce their intention to file a notice of intent to sue.
Read the Full Article
Same Ocean Conditions Impacting West Coast Salmon Runs Reducing Population Of ESA-Listed Marbled Murrelet; Numbers Dropping 4 Percent A Year
September 24th, 2020
Squeezed by changing ocean conditions that limit their food options and the long-term loss of old forest needed for nesting, marbled murrelets would benefit most from conservation efforts that take both ocean and forest into account, new research by Oregon State University shows.
Read the Full Article
EPA’s TMDL Document Aimed At Keeping Water Temps Healthy For Columbia/Snake Salmon Draws Far-Ranging Comments, Criticisms
September 18th, 2020
Most of those who commented on the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Total Maximum Daily Load” document intended to set temperature limits in the Columbia and Snake Rivers to protect salmon and steelhead called for further changes to the TMDL.
Read the Full Article
EPA Awards $2 Million In Grants To 14 Organizations To Reduce Toxics In Columbia River Basin
September 17th, 2020
The Seattle and Denver offices of the Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday they are awarding $2,053,903 in grants to 14 organizations, universities, and government agencies to reduce and assess toxics affecting the Columbia River Basin watershed.