[open quote]Endangered[close quote] salmon: More than just a Northwest hydro problem

Journal Article · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1992 · Hydro Review; (United States)

OSTI ID:5536796

Pfeiffer, D E ^[1]

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1. Washington Water Power Co., Spokane, WA (United States)

In the US, about 600 species of plants and animals are considered threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. One of those, the Snake River sockeye salmon, has been making news in the Pacific Northwest. In November 1991, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) declared Snake River sockeye salmon an endangered species, mandating the creation of a recovery plan that could cost more than $70 million a year. Many in the Northwest believe that the Endangered Species Act has never been applied in a case affecting so large an area or such a wide range of economic interests, including hydropower, agriculture, hatcheries, and commercial and sport fishing. Implications of this listing go far beyond regional economics, though. The way in which the federal government applied the Endangered Species Act in this instance has set a precedent that could affect hydro development throughout the US. The Endangered Species Act must be reauthorized by Congress by late October 1992. As explained in the accompanying story, [open quotes]Reauthorizing the ESA: Many Groups Calling for Change,[close quotes] the majority opinion in the US is that the act needs reform. Reviewing the act and its application in the Pacific Northwest will help members of the US hydro industry understand how hydro developments could be affected.

• OSTI ID: 5536796
• Journal Information: Hydro Review; (United States), Journal Name: Hydro Review; (United States) Vol. 11:3; ISSN HYREE8; ISSN 0884-0385
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

13 HYDRO ENERGY
130600* -- Hydro Energy-- Environmental Aspects
ANADROMOUS FISHES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ENDANGERED SPECIES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
FISHES
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
POWER PLANTS
SALMON
VERTEBRATES