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Judge Scheduled to Hear More on Columbia Basin Dam Plan, Likely Effects on Wild Fish Recovery by Associated Press The Republic, May 9, 2011

PORTLAND, Ore. -- A U.S. District Court judge on Monday in Portland will conduct what might be the final hearing on the federal government's third attempt at a plan for operating hydroelectric dams in the Columbia Basin.

Judge James Redden has twice rejected government proposals because of the risk to the region's wild salmon.

A lawsuit filed in 2001 challenged federal strategy for the recovery of wild fish.

The plaintiffs, including the state of Oregon and the Nez Perce tribe, maintain that the latest federal plan remains too risky for wild salmon and steelhead.

The Oregonian reports that Redden last week said he wanted to hear about the uncertainty of habitat benefits, the extent of survival improvements for salmon required by law and the potential for more actions on dams.