Dec. 18, 2008: The Department of Justice today filed its reply in support of the federal government’s cross-motion for summary judgment in the NWF v. NOAA Fisheries litigation on the 2008 FCRPS BiOp. The filing affirms that “for the first time ever, most of the sovereigns in this region (Federal, State, and Tribal) stand before this Court with a collective desire to put their differences aside and turn our energies to salmon and steelhead. . . .[W]ith the Court’s oversight, the 2008 BiOp has crossed the end line – it is fully consistent with the ESA, the best scientific information, and importantly, this Court’s orders.” Supporting declarations listed here.
Nov. 26, 2008: Federal executives of the action agencies said today that they are very pleased with the regional support for the FCRPS BiOp. “After two years of regional collaboration on a plan for Columbia and Snake River salmon and steelhead,” they said, “it is clear we have found common ground. This is no longer just a federal plan, it is now more of a regional plan explicitly supported by three states and six tribes.”
Nov. 13, 2008: The Warm Springs tribe hosted a tour of habitat projects in the John Day Subbasin today for U.S. District Court Judge James Redden. The briefing book for the tour described a few of the numerous habitat improvement projects the tribes have undertaken under the FCRPS BiOp and the Fish Accords. These projects are part of the region’s comprehensive approach to salmon recovery, providing demonstrated biological benefits to ESA-listed fish by opening up passage barriers and restoring spawning and rearing habitat.
Nov. 7, 2008: The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes today joined four Columbia River Tribes, two states and three federal agencies in an unprecedented set of agreements - known as the Columbia Basin Fish Accords - which are designed to improve habitat and strengthen fish stocks in the Columbia River Basin over the next 10 years.
Oct. 24, 2008: The Department of Justice has filed its response to plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment in the NWF v. NOAA Fisheries litigation on the 2008 FCRPS BiOp. The filing affirms that actions in the 2008 BiOp are good for fish and good for the region. This BiOp is based on the best available science and has broad regional support. Six tribes and three states joined the federal government with filings in support of the BiOp
Oct. 23, 2008: Federal agencies today announced a landmark agreement that will reprogram fish production at Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery in Washington and result in a win-win for fish, federal, tribal, states and fishery constituents.
Sept. 18, 2008: The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes intend to join four Columbia River tribes, two states and three federal agencies in an unprecedented set of agreements designed to improve habitat and strengthen fish stocks in the Columbia River Basin over the next 10 years. A 30-day public comment period begins today. The proposed agreements, project summaries and funding details are posted here.
August 13, 2008: Regional executives of the action agencies have signed Records of Decision to implement the FCRPS and Upper Snake BiOps.
July 11, 2008: NOAA Fisheries today released its biological opinion on operation of the 13 dams on the Willamette for ESA-listed fish. NOAA Fisheries has concluded that the action agencies’ proposed action, combined with additional actions detailed by NOAA, will allow for survival of the species with adequate potential for recovery of ESA-listed salmon and steelhead.
June 20, 2008: In contrast to news of the West Coast salmon-fishing collapse, adult spring chinook returning to the Columbia River are maintaining healthy numbers. As of June 15, the official end of the spring chinook season on the Columbia, almost 152,000 adult chinook had been counted at Bonneville Dam – considerably better than the past three years. Federal caucus news release here.
June 16, 2008: NOAA Fisheries today released its 2008 report to Congress on accomplishments under the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF) for salmon and steelhead recovery and conservation.
June 2, 2008: The Independent Scientific Advisory Board has released its assessment of the COMPASS model that NOAA Fisheries used to analyze the spill, flow and transport operations in the 2008 FCRPS BiOp. Confirming its earlier favorable reviews of various facets of the model, the ISAB said that COMPASS accurately reflects the years of data that has been collected on river conditions and fish survival.
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, 2008: 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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