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Oregon Gov. Kotek Supports Further Study Before Dam Breach by Matthew Weaver Capital Press, December 26, 2023

Study the impacts of the Snake River dams
"before any congressional consideration of dam breach"

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek supports the federal government's plan to further study the impacts of the Snake River dams "before any congressional consideration of dam breach," her office says.

"The governor is supportive of the United States government's commitment to study the transport of goods and assess prudent, cost-efficient alternatives that do not put an economic burden on river users or ratepayers, and provide this information to Congress prior to any congressional consideration of dam breach," Anca Matica, Kotek's press secretary, told the Capital Press.

The federal government recently announced a proposed Columbia River Restoration Initiative with plaintiffs in a long-running lawsuit over Snake River dam operations, run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service, also known as National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries.

The tribes involved in the agreement with the federal government are the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon and the Nez Perce Tribe.

Plaintiffs that make up the National Wildlife Federation include the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, the Institute for Fisheries Resources, Sierra Club, Idaho Rivers United, Northwest Sport Fishing Industry Association, NW Energy Coalition, National Wildlife Federation, Columbia Riverkeeper, Idaho Conservation League, and Fly Fishers International.

The states of Oregon and Washington are parties to the agreement.

"The fish in the Lower Columbia River are in crisis, and the rapidly degrading environment due to climate change has exacerbated the situation," Matica said.

The State of Oregon agrees with NOAA that action is needed "within just a few fish generations" in order to secure their future for many of these iconic salmon and steelhead stocks, Matica said.

District Judge Michael Simon gave all parties until Dec. 29 to enter a response to the government's motion to stay under the proposed initiative. Simon gave the government and plaintiffs until Jan. 12 to respond to those filings.

Related Sites:
Joint Motion to Extend Stay US District Court, 8/31/23
Idaho Dept. of Fish & Game v. NAT. MARINE FISHERIES US District Court Oregon, 3/28/94