Conservation Groups File 60-Day Notice of ESA Challenge on Klamath Salmon

This just in, from our friends at WaterWatch of Oregon. WaterWatch and Oregon Wild, both headquartered in Portland, OR, today submitted a notice of violation to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, citing the Bureau’s mismanagement of water in the Klamath Basin. The groups cite increasing likelihood of a repeat of the tragic 2002 Klamath River fish kill as the primary reason for the lawsuit. The Bureau has begun implementing a water management regime that cuts water to threatened coho salmon in the Klamath River, and to fish and wildlife elsewhere in the Klamath Basin, before the completion of a legally-required scientific and environmental review.

WaterWatch and Oregon Wild filed a 60-day notice as required by the Endangered Species Act, signaling their intent to challenge the Bureau of Reclamation’s decision to implement its plan to reduce water flows without first completing consultation with the wildlife agencies tasked with protecting threatened and endangered fish in the Klamath Basin.

For the full story, and to view the 60 day notice of intent and other background materials, head over to WaterWatch’s website. Thanks to Dwayne Meadows for the tip.

-KS

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