the film forum library tutorial contact DONATE

Draft Report Shows Gains for Fish by Staff BPA Journal, August 2013

Federal agencies released a report in July outlining five years of accomplishments in improvements to hydro system operations and facilities, habitat rehabilitation and hatchery reforms to protect and benefit Columbia and Snake river fish.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation and BPA -- collectively known as the federal action agencies -- released the 2013 draft Comprehensive Evaluation, which assesses results under the first five years of the 2008/2010 Biological Opinion developed by NOAA Fisheries. Work under this plan is the largest effort of its kind ever undertaken in the Columbia River Basin.

The draft report, which is open to a 30-day public comment period, shows wild salmon and steelhead have returned to the Columbia and Snake rivers and tributaries to spawn in greater numbers since the first Endangered Species Act listings.

"The draft Comprehensive Evaluation shows the strides we've made to bring more fish back to the river," said Lorri Bodi, vice president of BPA's Environment, Fish and Wildlife division.