The third draft of a federal plan for protecting endangered salmon and steelhead in the Northwest's Columbia and Snake Rivers does not propose breaching the four hydroelectric dams that block the waterways, frustrating activists who have long lobbied for the dams' removal. The National Marine Fisheries Service says the plan for helping the salmon is significantly improved over the previous version, which was found to violate the Endangered Species Act, but environmental groups aren't so sure. "It's the same pig in a different tutu, but it still can't dance," says Todd True of green group Earthjustice. The salmon recovery plan will go through a comment process and require a judge's approval. Dilly-dallying isn't recommended: Northwest wild salmon populations are at 5 percent of historic levels.
source: The Oregonian, Idaho Statesman, The New York Times, Associated Press
see also, in Grist:David James Duncan rows through a wheat field to save salmon
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Wolverine Posted 10:33 am
01 Nov 2007
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amyk Posted 6:39 am
02 Nov 2007
But one really stands out -- the plan fails to take the likely regional effects of global warming into account. It assumes that the period between 1980 and 2001, which generally featured below average ocean and river runoff conditions, is a reasonable surrogate for what the effects of climate change are likely to be.
No basis is provided for this conclusion. Given what the UW's Climate Impacts Group and others have been saying, the future climate will likely be warmer (and "worse" for salmon) than late 20th century conditions.
So, stronger salmon recovery measures, like removing the four dams on the lower Snake River, deserve serious consideration.
Studies show the dams' limited power can be affordably replaced with conservation and renewables. We should make sure that if these four dams are removed, it is done in a climate-neutral way.
To call on our leaders to come up with a stronger plan that works for salmon and communities, visit www.giveadamforsalmon.org
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