Judge Orders Increased Klamath River Flows to Benefit of Salmon, Tribes, Fisheries
SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Seafood News] by Susan Chambers - February 10, 2017
Klamath River tribes and fishermen who depend on salmon claimed victory after U.S. District Judge William H. Orrick mandated increased water flows on the Klamath River Wednesday.
The ruling says the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation must let more water downstream on the Klamath in the winter to flush out Ceratanova shasta, or C. shasta, a parasite that affects juvenile salmon. In turn, the success of those juveniles affect the numbers of returning adult salmon on which tribes and fishermen depend.
Orrick found the Bureau’s operation of the Klamath Project is causing irreparable harm to the salmon and the Yurok Tribe and fishing families, and that the water levels also appear favorable this year for the mitigation flows needed to reduce that harm. He found that, based on the best available science, “Plaintiffs have demonstrated that flushing flows and emergency dilution flows would reduce C. shasta rates among coho salmon. There is no meaningful dispute among the parties on this point.”
He rejected pleas for delay to consider more evidence, stating, “Where plaintiffs have shown a threat of imminent harm to coho salmon, waiting for perfect science is not appropriate.” ...
To Read Full Story Login Below.