(PORTLAND, OR) -- Today, NOAA Fisheries released the latest
iteration of the Federal Columbia River Power System Biological Opinion (FCRPS
BiOp), the plan that manages the Columbia and Snake Rivers to protect 13 salmon
and steelhead populations listed under the Endangered Species Act. This plan continues to utilize the best
available science to protect Columbia Basin salmon and steelhead on a working
Columbia River power and navigation system.
“This updated salmon plan continues on the path of progress
seen over the past decade,” said Scott Corwin, Executive Director of the Public
Power Council, which represents consumer-owned electric utilities and their
ratepayers across the region who rely on the clean hydropower produced by this
system.
The updated BiOp meets the U.S. District Court’s requirement
that NOAA submit an amended plan that specifies additional habitat
actions. NOAA also found that the 2008
BiOp has yielded positive results.
Salmon passage rates at the dams is very high, more than 10,000 acres of
fish habitat is being enhanced and protected, and hundreds of miles of new
stream access is now available. The
fruits of these labors have led to the highest salmon returns in over 75 years.
“The region’s electric utility ratepayers are funding most
of this massive effort, so it is good to see that it is working effectively to
meet the fish survival goals,” said Scott Corwin, Executive Director of the
Public Power Council.
The Federal Columbia River Power System BiOp is the most
comprehensive and costly effort in the nation to protect ESA-listed species.
The Public Power
Council represents Pacific Northwest consumer-owned utilities on issues related
to the Federal Columbia River Power System.
