Researchers Sort Variables Impacting Disappointing Columbia Upriver Chinook Returns Posted on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 (PST)

Changing freshwater conditions, hydro effects, ocean ecosystems, sea lion appetites and other variables continue to vex fisheries experts who predict how many Columbia River salmon will return to spawn each year. Read More...

Harvest Managers Open Sport Summer Chinook, Steelhead Fishing; Remain Cautious On Commercial Fishery Posted on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 (PST)

Oregon and Washington fishery managers took a cautious approach Thursday in setting Columbia River commercial fisheries for summer chinook salmon, mindful of a spring chinook forecast gone bad and chinook problems up and down the coast. Read More...

Council Seeks Comment On Proposed 'Indicators' To Measure F&W Program Success Posted on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 (PST)

The Northwest Power and Conservation Council this week released for public comment a "working list" of biological and implementation indicators that would, ultimately, show the worth of its Columbia River Basin fish and wildlife program. Read More...

Council Continues Work On Amending Regional Fish And Wildlife Mitigation Program Posted on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 (PST)

The Northwest Power and Conservation Council this week continued its review of proposed strategies for shaping its Columbia River Basin fish and wildlife program and braced for a next round of input. Read More...

Regional Scientists Agree Ocean Fertilization Moratorium Wise Until More Research Done Posted on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 (PST)

The recent agreement by nearly 200 countries to halt plans for fertilizing the world's oceans to combat global warming is prudent until more research is done, say scientists from Oregon State University who have conducted experiments with the technique. Read More...

April-September Forecast Has Dalles Runoff At 99 Percent Of Average Posted on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 (PST)

Despite "cooler than normal temperatures that suppressed the runoff early," most Columbia/Snake river basin tributaries will provide normal or above normal water supplies, according to the latest monthly "final" forecast produced by the Northwest River Forecast Center. Read More...

EPA Developing Report Detailing Columbia River Basin Toxics Problems Posted on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 (PST)

A developing "State of the River Report for Toxics" aims to pinpoint and describe Columbia Basin toxics problems, offer remedies and "serve as a catalyst for what already is large stakeholder involvement" in cleanup efforts, according to Ann Williamson, deputy director the Environmental Protection Agency's Region 10 Environmental Assessment Office. Read More...

WDOE Submits Final Water Quality Permit For Avista's Four Washington Dams Posted on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 (PST)

A new regimen will require more water to flow down the Spokane River into Washington and through the falls downtown. Read More...

NOAA Launches Online Inventory Of U.S. Marine Protected Areas Posted on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 (PST)

NOAA's National Marine Protected Areas Center has created a first ever online inventory of the nation's marine protected areas. Read More...