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Commentaries and editorials

A Shallow Commitment

by Devin Dinihanian
The Oregonian, April 20, 2007

In the press release responding to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' very justified rejection [of the Bush administration's plan to save salmon in the Columbia Basin], NOAA Fisheries, the Bonneville Power Administration, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that they "remain committed" to helping the 13 salmon and steelhead species threatened with extinction by the operation of the federal hydro system -- particularly the four outmoded dams on the Lower Snake River.

Will someone please tell me how these agencies can "remain committed to a good plan" when their last four proposed plans have shown nothing other than a steadfast commitment to avoiding responsibility and dodging effective restoration actions?

If the federal agencies intend to remain so committed, then ESA-listed salmon species and the people who depend on their survival should be very afraid. It's time BPA and the other agencies become committed to following the law and recovering salmon.


Devin Dinihanian, Southeast Portland
A Shallow Commitment
The Oregonian, April 20, 2007

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