Bush touts progress in Snake River, ignores admin. mgmt. failures

[bigtree]

American Rivers released a report card Tuesday revealing that federal agencies have done a poor job managing salmon migration conditions in the Snake and Columbia rivers.

The report card, which looks at river conditions from the spring and summer of 2003, shows that the federal agencies responsible for managing the dams and river flows in the Columbia and Snake river basins have dramatically failed to meet federal standards for seasonal salmon migration flows and water temperature in the Snake and Columbia rivers -- violating both the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act.

The report card highlights the fact that the lower Snake River dams were violating the Clean Water Act even as the president toured the Snake River's Ice Harbor Dam in late August.

"Two weeks ago President Bush spoke at a Snake River dam to hail his administration's salmon recovery efforts, while that very dam was in violation of Clean Water Act standards, and had been for 40 days straight," said Michael Garrity with American Rivers.

On the day of the president's visit, the temperature of the water behind Ice Harbor Dam was 71.1 degrees Fahrenheit, or 3.1 degrees over the Clean Water Act standard of 68 degrees.

"Because of the lower Snake River dams, the water temperature in the river is hot for weeks on end, creating harmful and sometimes lethal conditions for young salmon. It's like having your children swim laps in a hot tub," said Michael Garrity with American Rivers.

"At the same time, young salmon aren't getting the water they need to carry them downstream to the ocean."

High water temperatures also hinder the migration of adult salmon and prolonged exposure can be lethal.

Get graphs and statistics: http://www.amrivers.org/docs/Migration_Report_card_20032.pdf


Bush will not breach damns to protect Salmon-
http://indiancountry.com/?1062166103

[Clete]

1. The last time I saw the Snake rive in Idaho it was almost dry.

It was a drought year and the farmers had drained most of the water for irrigation. I don't know how any salmon could have survived then. But this is what happens when Republicans run the state. It's all money and no conservation.

[bigtree]

2. There was an effort

to get the dams to increase the water flow but once the salmon population started to improve, the industry backed way off of their previous commitments. Even with the increased flow not enough salmon can get around the dam. If there's another major drought then I suppose that's it for the salmon. The low flow is expected to affect this year's smolt population.

Ideally the administration should mandate the removal of these dams.
One thing the administration shouldnt do to the unpredictable flow is approve any more.

[Clete]

3. You really don't expect Gale Norton to do that?

She's nothing but BFEE hack. I do hope we get these crooks out of office one way or the other and soon. They are damaging everything they touch.

[bigtree]

4. Nope, I dont

She is one of the new generation of industry apologists, hired to put a greener face on the land robbers. She says the most unbelievable things. I have faith in the local judges though, to block any outrageous decisions and force the department's hand.

[stevedeshazer]

5. Bush* can't take credit

The salmon recovery is due almost entirely to ocean conditions of the Pacific during the salmon's four-year life cycle. These conditions were very favorable then.

This is another example of the Bush team taking credit for something entirely out of their hands (favorable salmon conditions) not to mention the fact that most of these salmon are hatchery fish rather than wild.

The Snake and Columbia river basins are managed and funded by the federal government (Army Corps of Engineers and Bonneville Power Administration) for the primary purpose of providing agribusiness with a humongous subsidy (irrigation and electricity) in order to facilitate the production of potatoes, beef and wheat. The agricultural products from this region are the products of an unsustainable cycle of rain and drought. During dry years, stream flows fall below the standards and water temperatures rise.

This same ranching and agricultural poilicy is being perpetuated in the Klamath Basin as well.

It is very ironic that some of the wealthiest Americans who benefit from this taxpayer-funded largesse are also some of the largest anti-tax contributors to the Republican tax-cutting orgy, thus having their cake and eating it too.

[bigtree]

6. Activists get the credit for keeping the heat on

Some progress:
57 Dams in 16 States to be removed in 2003 8/19/2003
http://www.amrivers.org/pressrelease/damremoval8.19.03.htm

I'd like to know how these agencies are responding (not responding) to the various lawsuits and orders that have come from the state courts.

Attorneys for Idaho Rivers United, Idaho Conservation League, American Rivers and the National Wildlife Federation notified the agencies and Interior Secretary Gale Norton in a letter sent Friday that a lawsuit will be filed unless steps are taken to ensure that the upper Snake projects comply with the ESA. The groups are being represented by Advocates for the West, a non-profit environmental law firm based in Boise, and EarthJustice.

"On Friday, President Bush stated that everyone involved in salmon recovery must contribute to that effort. Right now, federal agencies in Idaho are not doing their part. Our letter puts the agencies on notice that they must fulfill their role in the regional salmon recovery effort by providing necessary water flows from the upper Snake River," said Laird Lucas, an attorney with Advocates for the West. http://www.amrivers.org/pressrelease/snakepress8.26.03.htm

(Columbia, SC) Conservationists yesterday served notice to South Carolina Electric and Gas (SCE&G) and federal energy regulators that they will sue in federal court if Clean Water Act violations in the Saluda River do not cease. A 60-day notice of a pending citizen's suit is required by federal law.
http://www.amrivers.org/docs/Saluda%20Final%20NOCS%202003-09-02.pdf

Petition to the Federal Energy Regulatoy Commission-
http://www.amrivers.org/docs/Saluda%20WQC%20Final%20Complaint%202003-09-02.pdf

[stevedeshazer]

7. That is progress

And props to the activists. I'll take incrementalism over loss of habitat at this point, but until agribusiness starts paying their own way, it's likely all we can hope for.

[bigtree]

8. mission accomplished?

http://www.returningsoldiers.us/mission%20accomplished.htm