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Bruce S calls the Columbia River a system.  This is consistent with the BPA view, which treats the river like a power plant with fish in it rather than a river with power on it.  As for steelhead doing better in barges, one of the largest returns of steelhead returned this year.  When this years adults outmigrated, there was one of the lowest percentage of barged steelhead in recent history.  That just doesn't square up with his assertions that steelhead do better in barges. 

As to the cost of the BPA/NOAA settlement.  It is a great deal of money that does good things for fish below the Snake, but very very little for the actual listed fish.  If we are talking about what it costs to save the listed fish, then the settlement appears to be a bad deal for the ratepayers, because it doesn't address the fundamental hydro mortalities. 

posted 3 years, 9 months ago
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Adding more monitoring and studies continues NOAA and the BPA's roll in studying the most studied extinctions in history.  This plan has a flawed jeopardy standard, it degrades river conditions that were asked for by fishery managers and orderd by Judge Redden.  The triggers?  Look at breaching when it is too late? 

The most effective measure to begin to mitigate for hydro measures is spill.  To back down on the measure most needed by fish is unthinkable by a science agency in charge of recovery.  Those who depend on fish are outraged by this more than anything else.

Sad to say, it looks like listed Snake River Salmon will not notice change from the last election. 

posted 3 years, 9 months ago
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Your phone call from Terry in Portland suggested that salmon in the Columbia/Snake were robust.  What the called neglected to say is the vast majority of these fish are born and raise in concrete.  The endangered species act is about the wild fish, which are in dire shape in the Columbia and Snake.  Additionally, I would add that it is an understandable perception that freespool had that BPA is in charge.  They use their money to purchase science and purchase collaboration.  Would Dr. Lubchenco consider setting up a foundation to disburse BPA's salmon funding to give them less control, thereby removing the perception that Bonneville IS in charge of Columbia/Snake salmon recovery?

posted 3 years, 11 months ago
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