PR 64 05
BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2005
Contact:
Ed Mosey |
, BPA (503)-230-5131
Brian Gorman, NOAA Fisheries (206) 526-6613
Focus remains on recovery planning after 9th Circuit spill ruling
Fed agencies push ahead with state, local agreements to assist fish
SEATTLE, Wash. -
In the wake of yesterday's 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling upholding a lower court order requiring spill at Snake and lower Columbia River dams this summer, federal agencies responsible for operations at the dams vowed to continue pursuing a consensus approach to hydro operations, as well as region-wide recovery plans.
"The court has spoken and we are complying," said Steve Wright, administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration. "But it makes our work with the four Northwest states and other parties on an agreement for hydro operations and fish protection all the more important."
The appeals court did not determine whether the federal agencies' plans for river operations violated the Endangered Species Act. It merely concluded that the lower court did not overstep its authority in issuing the spill order. The broader legal questions are yet to be fully resolved.
Meanwhile, talks continue under the auspices of the four Northwest states to reach a consensus among a broad spectrum of stakeholders on how best to operate the hydro system for fish and generation. Key to future plans is installation of fish slides or other surface passage devices at dams on the lower Snake and Columbia Rivers.
Studies at the Lower Granite Dam slide installed in 2001 indicate increased juvenile fish survival and lower costs of operations. Researchers are now evaluating a slide at Ice Harbor Dam. Under the four-state plan, a portion of the financial savings would be dedicated to still more fish improvements.
If adopted, the four- state agreement would substantially improve the safe passage of listed stocks at the dams, said Wright. It would also allow more efficient operation of generators at the dams.
"The court has ruled that we must spill water at dams this summer and we will continue to operate the system accordingly," said Wright. "In the future, we think we can make physical improvements at the dams and take other steps that that will achieve better results for both fish and the region's electric ratepayers."
"Local recovery teams are also making good progress on recovery plans for listed stocks throughout the basin," said Bob Lohn, regional director of NOAA Fisheries. "The plans are expected to be drafted by the end of the year."
The measures, designed with the involvement of local citizens, address the unique problems affecting each listed stock. Four planning areas are involved: Oregon Coast; Willamette/lower Columbia; the middle and upper Columbia basin; and the Snake basin.
Submitted for distribution on 07-27-2005 at 1:52 PM
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