A deeply concerning bill that could be the last straw for already endangered salmon and steelhead populations in Idaho has passed in the House of Representatives last week.
Bill HR 3144, dubbed the ‘Salmon Extinction Act,’ effectively overturns all regulations in place to protect these precious fish in the Columbia and Snake Rivers, and puts the power into the hands of Congress instead of scientists.
The majority of Idaho’s salmon and steelhead stocks are already endangered, and the steelhead located in Clearwater River’s B-run are almost completely depleted, with 98% of the population disappearing since the 1960s.
With five major dams built along this fragile ecosystem from 1956-1973, blocking migratory routes and creating havoc for fish populations, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed all of the steelhead in Snake River as threatened by extinction. From over 100,000 wild steelhead entering the Snake River in the 60’s, only 1,100 were recorded in the 2017/2018 season.
Studies have shown that a method known as “spilling” will help fish to survive as they migrate up river to the Pacific Ocean. Basically, the dam managers are obliged to let more water flow over the dams from April to June to ensure the young salmon have a safer journey.
“Maximizing spill is the one thing that we can do immediately to help these struggling fish survive the age of dams,” said Kevin Lewis, Idaho Rivers United Executive Director. “Just as science has shown that spill works, science has shown that the only path to real, long-term, sustainable recovery is removal of four dams on the lower Snake River.”
Last year, a district judge ruled that dam managers must comply with higher spill requirements every spring. The National Marine Fisheries Service appealed this ruling, but the appeals court rejected the appeal and again decreed that increased spill levels were compulsory.
Now, this Salmon Extinction Bill goes against the findings of two U.S. district court orders and prevents any future scientific research into alternative dam management plans that could help save the wild fish of these rivers. It gives Congress authority over the Columbia and Snake River dams, puts a stop to the increased spilling that started earlier this month, and requires congressional approval for any changes to dam management. Even more concerning, the bill also ensures that the Snake River Dams stay in operation until 2022.
“HR 3144 is a giant step backwards in our region’s effort to restore salmon populations,” said Todd True, an Earthjustice attorney. “The entire goal of the bill is to circumvent the law and the courts, because a few legislators want to put a narrow set of economic interests ahead of the broad support in our region for salmon restoration. They have inserted themselves into the process, without considering the true consequences—for the fish, our energy future, or the Northwest economy.”
“It will continue the march toward extinction for Snake River salmon that are so necessary to our life and culture,” said Julian Matthews, a member of the Nez Perce Tribe, who oppose the bill.
This bill will soon head to the US Senate for consideration. We implore you to write to your senators telling them you strongly oppose HR 3144 and urging them to do the same.
HR 3144, is a bill written to protect the fish and the hydroelectric power produced at the dams. Hydroelectric power is a clean renewable energy source, that provides 70% of the electricity to Washington State. The writer of this article misrepresented the facts. Here is a link to what HR 3144 is all about, https://riponadvance.com/stories/mcmorris-rodgers-says-bill-promoting-hydropower-fish-migration-will-see-house-action-soon/
Keep the fishes environment as it is – no dams.
That’s a good plan for the extinction of man kind.
Yes, we must protect salmon and all other fishes from extinction. Fishes need our protection and care too. Go vegan, takes time to work on but it is the answer to protecting all life.
All fish need protection, but only protection from extinction. Fish are made to be ate.
Chick, the correct word is “eaten”.
You are obviously a shill for the people who want to keep the dams going and don’t care about the welfare of the fish. You are a troll and should be banned from this website!
THOSE DAMS NEED TO GO AWAY! NO COMPROMISE! You do not COMPROMISE WITH THE ENEMY! Those far right republicans and corporate democrats are a huge problem and need to be literally run out of town! ALL OF THEM!
Maybe you need to go to a country of your choosing.
There is several inconsistencies to your letter, that are troubling. Makes me wonder how much you understand the situation there. The one thing you wrote, “salmon traveling up river to the Pacific Ocean” , is particularly troubling. The fish travel up river (going inland) to lay eggs, then travel down river to the Pacific ocean. And, you make no mention of the salmon ladders on the Snake or Columbia river, which I know are there. Heck, there are youtube videos of them. You need to research your subject matter, as you clearly don’t have a full understanding of this.
Let us say there are ladders, ok but that is inadequate and you know it. Otherwise their populations would be at 100% not a 98% loss. Those dams need to GO!
No, I do not know they are inadequate. But, if they are, they need to be fixed. You can see the fish going up them, on the youtube videos. Dams are there for a reason, which is water for the nation. There has to be a balance.
I oppose HR 3144. Politicians are bull headed idiots either that or they are just plain thoughtless and heartless bastards.
Leanne, those far right wing republicans are totally, and utterly corrupt! They need to be physically kicked and run out of town as they flee for their safety! Corruption is the glue that holds all the bad $hit together.
Vince is a good example of liberal’s view of peace. They are happy as long as they get their way, but, if that does not happen, they go off like a loose cannon.
I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS ! ARE THOSE THAT WE ELECT SO HEARTLESS OR SIMPLY “NUTZ” !
I HOPE THE NAMES OF ALL THOSE WHO VOTED FOR THIS BILL – AGAINST THE SALMON – WILL BE PUBLISHED OVER AND OVER JUST PRIOR TO THE ELECTION PERIOD !