These sockeye salmon swam up the Columbia and Snake rivers to get to Idaho's Redfish Lake.
credit:
Aaron Kunz
Judge James Redden is being asked to change how the federal government develops the Biological Opinion.
credit:
Save our Wild Salmon
In August, U.S. District Judge James Redden gave the federal government three more years to return with a new management plan to save salmon along the Columbia and Snake Rivers. But now a handful of conservation groups say it’s time to try something different.
The groups petitioned Judge Redden this week to appoint a settlement judge to act as a moderator in the development of a management plan for Columbia and Snake salmon. They also want scientists outside the federal government to have a voice during the process of developing this plan, also called a biological opinion.
Liz Hamilton represents the sportsfishing industry and says they simply don’t have confidence in the federal government to manage the management plan.
01-640 2010 Progress Report Comments
She says the federal government had more than ten years to develop a plan and have failed. Under the proposal, the process would be open to more than just the federal agencies. “We have the opportunity to really change the game. Open up the process, make it more transparent and get the stakeholders at the table that can build a durable decision that will work for fish.”
The paperwork was filed with the court on Tuesday.
Congrats to David James for his winning submission, 'Annabella smelling the Balsam.'
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