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Announcements
May 9, 2008: The Columbia Basin Fish Accords have been fully executed, with final signatures received. With the Accords signed, the tribes, states and federal agencies will immediately move forward with new projects as well as continuing existing projects throughout the Columbia River Basin to provide specific, scientifically valid biological results for the region's fish.
May 5, 2008: NOAA Fisheries has issued final biological opinions for the Federal Columbia River Power System and the
Upper Snake projects. NOAA Fisheries finds that, with the actions in the FCRPS Reasonable and Prudent Alternative, salmon and
steelhead are on a trend to recovery. The agency noted that these new BiOps have broader support among tribes and states
than ever before.
May 2, 2008: A tribal ceremony today celebrated
the signing of the
Columbia Basin Fish Accords, ending years of divisiveness on fish issues. The action agencies, four Northwest tribes and
two States signed agreements for 10 years of projects that will deliver specific biological results for fish, recognizing the tribes'
proven scientific and resource management expertise.
April 23, 2007: The Action Agencies posted information developed in consultation with the Three Treaty Tribes regarding the
expected biological benefits for listed species of the habitat and hatchery activities to be implemented by the Tribes under
the Three Treaty Tribe MOA. The Action Agencies are
also posting a revised project abstract for the Colville Tribes MOA,
which includes some updated information and provides information that had been left blank in the prior version.
April 11, 2008: : The FCRPS action agencies and the State of Montana today announced a proposed agreement to provide
10-year mutual commitments for fish restoration, particularly for resident fish (non-ocean-going) listed under the Endangered Species
Act (ESA) such as bull trout. For more information,
click here.
April 9, 2008: : The federal action agencies (Bonneville Power Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the
Bureau of Reclamation) and the State of Idaho today announced a proposed 10-year agreement on 10-year mutual commitments
for fish restoration, particularly for ESA-listed Snake River fish. For more information,
click here.
April 7, 2008: The FCRPS action agencies are proposing to enter into agreements with four tribes to provide 10-year
mutual commitments for fish restoration, particularly for Columbia River Basin salmon and steelhead. The action agencies believe
the proposed agreements will enhance overall fish restoration efforts in the region, making mitigation for the hydro system
significantly more effective through a common approach. BPA is providing a comment period before entering into the agreements
so that customers and stakeholders may review the commitments BPA is proposing to make. For more information,
click here.
March 11, 2008: NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have submitted a status report to plaintiffs on the progress toward completing a BiOp for the Willamette Project.
March 7, 2008: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began four days of spill at Bonneville Dam for juvenile tule fall chinook released from Spring Creek Hatchery. The spill is part of a multi-year agreement to modify the hatchery operations so that this release and early spill are unnecessary. See news release and operation decision.
February 26, 2008: The court has approved a
stipulated settlement reached
between the federal government and plaintiffs related to the litigation on the Willamette BiOp. Under the terms of the settlement, NOAA
Fisheries and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will provide a status report by March 11, 2008, and a final BiOp by July 11, 2008.
February 25, 2008: Judge Redden has signed an order proposed by
Department of Justice that would repeat the 2007 FCRPS operations for fish in 2008. The federal government proposed the
rollover in order to allow continued focus on producing a solid final biological opinion.
February 11, 2008: Judge Redden has set a status conference for Feb. 20 to discuss 2008 FCRPS
operations for ESA-listed fish.
February 08, 2008: Department of Justice has filed
a Notice and
Proposed Order
with the Court to repeat the 2007 hydro operations for fish in 2008. As
proposed by federal defendants at a status conference with Judge Redden on Dec. 12, 2007, the proposal is intended to discourage
motions for preliminary injunctive relief because resources to address these motions in Court are currently best spent
preparing the final biological opinions. DOJ requests a status conference to discuss concerns expressed by some parties
on specifics of the proposed operation.
January 29, 2008: The Court has granted the federal agencies’ motion for extension of time to complete the final
FCRPS and Upper Snake BiOps. The final BiOps are due by May 5, 2008.
January 24, 2008: The Department of Justice has filed a motion for a 45-day extension of time to complete the FCRPS and Upper Snake biological opinions. The accompanying declaration describes that the extension is needed in order that National Marine Fisheries Service can carefully consider and responsibly address the extensive comments received on the draft BiOps. The new due date requested is May 2, 2008.
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There are 13 ESA-listed stocks that migrate through the Columbia River and its tributaries to get to the Pacific Ocean. In addition, two native stocks (bull trout and sturgeon) are affected by operation of the federal dams. These are the stocks that the federal caucus works to protect and recover.
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