Re: “Hovering water temps put report sockeye salmon run on Columbia River in peril” [July 11, A1]:
Thanks to Lynda Mapes for her well timed protection of the new water blocking sockeye salmon passage to their Canadian spawning grounds. Their report numbers this yr are a trigger for celebration, demonstrating that in-stream salmon restoration efforts do improve survival. However this warmth wave is a sobering second for us to do not forget that with out eradicating pointless dams throughout the hydropower system, our rivers can’t be really protected for these fish.
Particularly imperiled are the Snake River sockeye, getting ready to extinction. Already this summer season, three of the 4 Decrease Snake River Dams have registered days above the 68 diploma “hurt” threshold. The Military Corps’ plans for mitigating sizzling water within the Columbia and Snake are inadequate to satisfy Clear Water Act obligations. As warmth waves change into extra frequent and temperatures rise, failure to adequately tackle the new water downside places salmon survival in danger.
The recent water situations salmon are dealing with underscore the necessity to press ahead urgently with the commitments within the Resilient Columbia Basin Settlement and the Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative (the bigger tribal-state plan) upon which the commitments are based mostly. Now we have to maneuver sooner if we need to save these iconic fish.
Marin Plut, Seattle
