Interior Moves To Revoke Trump Administration’s Changes To Migratory Bird Treaty Incidental Take Interpretation
May 6th, 2021
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a proposed rule to revoke the January 7, 2021, final regulation that limited the scope of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Significant concerns about the interpretation of the MBTA have been raised by the public, legal challenges in court and from the international treaty partners, says the agency.
New Study Shows Impacts Of Cascadia Tsunami In Puget Sound: Reach Whidbey Island In One Hour, 30 Minutes After Quake
May 6th, 2021
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources has released a new study showing, for the first time, the impacts that a magnitude 9.0 earthquake on the Cascadia subduction zone would have on Puget Sound communities.
Oregon, Washington Announce Columbia River Fishing Seasons, Regulations For Summer Chinook, Fall Chinook, Steelhead; Reduced Bag Limits
April 29th, 2021
Oregon and Washington fishery managers recently announced seasons and regulations for 2021 Columbia River summer and fall salmon and steelhead fisheries.
Low Flows, High Temperatures Prompt California To Truck 17 Million Salmon Smolts From Central Valley To Coast
April 29th, 2021
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is trucking millions of hatchery-raised juvenile Central Valley fall-run chinook salmon this spring to San Pablo Bay, San Francisco Bay and seaside net pens due to projected poor river conditions in the Central Valley. The massive trucking operation is designed to ensure the highest level of survival for the young salmon on their hazardous journey to the Pacific Ocean.
Introduced ‘Recovering America’s Wildlife Act’ Would Bring Millions To State Fish/Wildlife Agencies For Conservation
April 29th, 2021
What Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is calling “a major new piece of legislation,” co-sponsored by Oregon U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, was introduced in the House of Representatives last week. The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act of 2021 (RAWA) would provide new resources for the conservation of Oregon’s at-risk fish and wildlife species, says the agency.
Bonneville Power Names New Chief Operating Officer, Responsible For Environment, Fish And Wildlife
April 29th, 2021
The Bonneville Power Administration has chosen Joel Cook to be its new chief operating officer. As COO, Cook will be responsible for the agency’s Power and Transmission services, as well as its Environment, Fish and Wildlife and Customer Support Services organizations.
American Rivers, Citing Four Lower Snake Dams, Names Snake River Nation’s Most Endangered River
April 22nd, 2021
The national conservation group American Rivers, in its annual most endangered rivers report, has placed the Snake River in Oregon, Washington and Idaho at the top of the list. The main threat, the group says, are the four federal dams on the lower Snake River.
Biden Administration Resumes White House Council On Native American Affairs Established In 2013
April 22nd, 2021
On April 23, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice will convene the first White House Council on Native American Affairs meeting of the Biden-Harris administration. Secretary Haaland will serve as the Council’s Chair.
USFWS Seeks Public Comment On Streaked Horned Lark ESA Listing; Small PNW Bird Gone From Most Of Its Historical Range
April 22nd, 2021
After reviewing the best available scientific and commercial information, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to reaffirm the listing of the Pacific Northwest’s streaked horned lark as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The Service is also proposing a revised special rule under section 4(d) of the ESA to provide for the conservation needs of the species. The announcement opens a 60-day public comment period.