The Nez Perce Tribe opened its ongoing gill-net fishery without a federal permit allowing its members to catch and kill protected wild steelhead.
But the tribe isn't the only government entity operating steelhead fisheries in the Snake River basin without take permits from the National Marine Fisheries Service.
Fishing and conservation interests continue to press their case that wild-born and hatchery fish, despite genetic alikeness, should be separated when the federal government evaluates whether a stock deserves protection under the Endangered Species Act.
Though mainstem Columbia/Snake River fish passage issues -- flow, spill, improvements at the dams -- get most of the attention, smaller-scale efforts to improve fish passage in the Basin's upper tributaries are just as important in the regional effort to recover salmon and steelhead populations.
Responding appropriately to a wealth of comment on its draft Federal Columbia River Power system biological opinion will require more time than anticipated, according to the NOAA Fisheries Service.
The Nez Perce Tribe opened its ongoing gill-net fishery without a federal permit allowing its members to catch and kill protected wild steelhead.
Fishing and conservation interests continue to press their case that wild-born and hatchery fish, despite genetic alikeness, should be separated when the federal government evaluates whether a stock deserves protection under the Endangered Species Act.
Though mainstem Columbia/Snake River fish passage issues -- flow, spill, improvements at the dams -- get most of the attention, smaller-scale efforts to improve fish passage in the Basin's upper tributaries are just as important in the regional effort to recover salmon and steelhead populations.
The Technical Management Team's fishery and hydro managers made up the audience Wednesday for "the rollout of the rollover" -- a draft 2008 spill and transportation plan for the Federal Columbia River Power system that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Rudd Turner says will mimic 2007 operations.
In response to a flurry of requests, the Northwest Power and Conservation Council on Tuesday approved a 60-day extension of the deadline for submitting recommendations for amendments to its Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program.
Representatives of diverse communities in the Klamath Basin, working with federal, state, and county governments, have developed a Proposed Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement aimed at rebuilding fisheries, sustaining agriculture, and resolving other longstanding disputes related to the allocation of water resources.
The Technical Management Team's fishery and hydro managers made up the audience Wednesday for "the rollout of the rollover" -- a draft 2008 spill and transportation plan for the Federal Columbia River Power system that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Rudd Turner says will mimic 2007 operations.
In response to a flurry of requests, the Northwest Power and Conservation Council on Tuesday approved a 60-day extension of the deadline for submitting recommendations for amendments to its Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program.
Representatives of diverse communities in the Klamath Basin, working with federal, state, and county governments, have developed a Proposed Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement aimed at rebuilding fisheries, sustaining agriculture, and resolving other longstanding disputes related to the allocation of water resources.
NOAA Fisheries Oct. 30 draft biological opinions on Columbia/Snake River hydro projects and Upper Snake River irrigation projects fill more than 2,100 pages, including appendices and the BiOps' scientific foundation, the "Supplemental Comprehensive Analysis."
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday denied a request that it consider whether an appellate court erred in ruling that a Canadian company can be penalized for dumping mining slag into the Columbia River that ultimately skittered downriver across the border.
Fiscal year 2007-2009 fish and wildlife project funding decisions stand, at least for now, according to a Dec. 31 letter from the Bonneville Power Administration written in response to suggestions that an additional $28 million might be needed to meet "critical needs."
NOAA Fisheries Oct. 30 draft biological opinions on Columbia/Snake River hydro projects and Upper Snake River irrigation projects fill more than 2,100 pages, including appendices and the BiOps' scientific foundation, the "Supplemental Comprehensive Analysis."
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday denied a request that it consider whether an appellate court erred in ruling that a Canadian company can be penalized for dumping mining slag into the Columbia River that ultimately skittered downriver across the border.
Fiscal year 2007-2009 fish and wildlife project funding decisions stand, at least for now, according to a Dec. 31 letter from the Bonneville Power Administration written in response to suggestions that an additional $28 million might be needed to meet "critical needs."
The Nez Perce Tribe announced Wednesday that it will cash in some sweat equity, as well as a larger share of its treaty right, with commercial efforts this winter targeting steelhead on the Snake and Clearwater rivers.
Implementation of the draft federal Columbia/Snake river hydro system operations would cost about $25 million more per year on average than the previous strategy and could spike as high as $100 million when water is in short supply, according to preliminary analysis previewed last week by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council staff.
Implementation of a Snake River fall chinook "transportation" study in 2008, and beyond, edged closer to certainty with eggs now in hand to produce the needed juvenile fish and most other related issues resolved.
The Bonneville Power Administration is proposing interim payments totaling $322 million to Northwest public and investor-owned utilities while the agency continues to work with the region to establish a long-term Residential Exchange Program.
The Nez Perce Tribe announced Wednesday that it will cash in some sweat equity, as well as a larger share of its treaty right, with commercial efforts this winter targeting steelhead on the Snake and Clearwater rivers.
Implementation of the draft federal Columbia/Snake river hydro system operations would cost about $25 million more per year on average than the previous strategy and could spike as high as $100 million when water is in short supply, according to preliminary analysis previewed last week by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council staff.
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