WASHINGTON, D. C. April 24, 2018 – A few members of the U.S. House of Representatives have devised a way to make it even harder to restore endangered and threatened Pacific Northwest salmon populations. Their bill is expected to get a House vote this Wednesday, April 25.
HR 3144 would roll back salmon protections and court decisions, and it would explicitly bar any consideration of lower Snake River dam removal as a recovery option in the Columbia/Snake River Basin.
Sadly, this legislation ensures that we continue on the same costly, ineffective path that has seen continued declines in wild salmon in the Pacific Northwest. This path has already cost ratepayers more than $10 billion without recovering a single endangered salmon population.
HR 3144 would push salmon closer to extinction. It does this by declaring as “legal” the salmon recovery plan that a federal judge ruled invalid because it violates two federal laws. HR 3144 would also overturn a federal court order to increase spill, to speed the migration of young salmon to the Pacific. And it would prevent a full, science-based examination of the best possible options to restore endangered salmon populations, including lower Snake River dam removal.
Little wonder that conservation and fishing groups, and Native American tribes, have dubbed it the “Salmon Extinction Act.” The legislation is also opposed by Gov. Kate Brown of Oregon and Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and several House members from Oregon and Washington.
What: U.S. House debates and votes on HR 3144, the “Salmon Extinction Act”
When: Debate expected Wed. afternoon, 4/25; vote expected that evening.
Where: U.S. House Chamber. Will be livestreamed at http://houselive.gov/