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Washington River News and Opinions
The following news is assembled from postings from various sources, as a public service. The sponsors of this website do not assume responsibility for accuracy. Always double-check information before relying on it, especially when your safety is involved!
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Administration proposes salmon recovery mitigation study
American Rivers reports the Clinton Administration will study ways to mitigate the costs of Northwest salmon recovery options, drawing applause from conservation groups.
Will Stelle, Regional Director of the National Marine Fisheries Service, said the Clinton Administration will measure the economic impacts of all salmon recovery options - ranging from dam removal to new restrictions on logging, farming and salmon harvest - and consider ways to offset the social and economic impacts of salmon recovery options.
Stelle pledged "a more comprehensive economic analysis of the choice" facing salmon decision-makers during a press conference in Portland on Friday. The Administration will determine "what are the economic impacts of options, and what might be the best way to mitigate those options," Stelle said.
Although the details of the study have not been finalized, "we are committed to trying to get it done," he said.
Conservation groups had urged the Clinton Administration to study ways to replace the benefits now provide by four dams on Washington's Lower Snake River. The groups have proposed transportation, irrigation and power investments if the dams are removed to save endangered salmon and steelhead runs. "This is a bold step in the right direction by the Clinton Administration," said Justin Hayes, Associate Director of Public Policy for American Rivers, a national river conservation group. "If we replace the benefits provided by the dams, we can save salmon and protect rural communities."
Hayes urged the Administration to complete the mitigation study by the end of March.
A former Corps of Engineers official recently concluded that cargo now moving on the Snake could be cost-effectively shipped by truck and rail following targeted investments in highways and rail lines. The Corps has found that the irrigation infrastructure at Ice Harbor Dam could be cost-effectively replaced if the dam were removed.
The benefits and costs of other salmon recovery options - such as new restrictions on logging, farming and fishing - have not been calculated "but could be far more expensive than dam removal and much harder to mitigate," Hayes said.
Removing the dams would save endangered runs of steelhead and fall chinook, according to a National Marine Fisheries Service study, and dam removal must be part of any strategy designed to save endangered runs of spring/summer chinook.
Snake River dams kill salmon by delaying the migration of young salmon to the sea - exposing them to predation and disease-and create obstacles to adult salmon returning to spawn.
To learn more about the transition study, visit www.amrivers.org or call Justin Hayes at (202) 347-7550 or Rob Masonis (206) 213-0330.
NEW!! State looking at river management plan for launch site
The Forest Service has purchased private land at BZ Corners as part of its plan to operate a public access boat launch to the Lower White Salmon National Wild and Scenic River. An open house was held February 8, 2000, during which time interested parties were able to meet and discuss issues pertaining to the state's new role in providing river access. Results from the meeting and further information regarding the developing management plan can be obtained by calling the Wild and Scenic Program Manager, Scott Springer, at 541-308-1729, or by writing to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenice Area; 902 Wasco Avenue, Ste. 200; Hood River, OR 97031.
Coalition phases out Condit Dam
The White Salmon River, in southwestern Washington state, will soon be free-flowing, thanks to a voluntary agreement among the Yakama Nation, PacifiCorp, environmental groups and state and federal fishery agencies, according to a report by American Rivers.
Because of the complexities of involving so many interests, the agreement allows Condit to continue operating for the next seven years to help generate funds to offset dam-removal costs.
"Today's agreement to remove the Condit Dam opens a salmon run up the White Salmon River from its source to the Columbia. Today's action begins to repay a debt to this symbol of the Northwest that now so critically needs our help to survive," Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt said. "The excellent outcome of these complex negotiations could not have been achieved without a remarkable partnership involving the Yakama Nation, PacifiCorp, state and federal agencies, American Rivers and the Columbia Inter-Tribal Fish Commission."
"Barriers like Condit that keep fish from reaching their spawning grounds are the kinds of problems we are going to need to address," said Curt Smitch, Governor Gary Locke's special assistant for natural resources. "Just as important, this is a collaborative agreement supported by business, tribes, government and environmentalists." The principal goal of the talks was to find a middle path between licensing Condit and litigating for years to come. All parties recognized that by reaching agreement, dollars would be spent sooner on fishery improvements for the White Salmon River.
PacifiCorp will remove the project beginning October 2006 at a cost of up to $17.15 million. This includes $13.65 million for removal costs, $2 million for permitting and mitigation costs, $1 million toward a fund to be administered by the Yakama Nation for enhancement of the White Salmon River fishery, and $500,000 for enhancement of a traditional Indian fishing site at the mouth of the White Salmon River.
Condit was built in 1913 and provides up to 14 megawatts of electricity to PacifiCorp customers. It is located three miles upstream from the confluence of the White Salmon and Columbia rivers about 60 miles east of Portland.
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