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Commentaries and editorials

Same Old Flawed Science

by Chuck Barnes
Seattle Times, September 21, 2009

Ice Harbor Lock and Dam, 10 miles up the Snake River from its confluence with the Columbia River, is under consideration for breaching. (ACOE photo) I was shocked to learn the Obama administration is staying with the flawed science of NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and former President George W. Bush's salmon plan, which U.S. District Judge James Redden has ruled illegal three to four times so far "New salmon plan includes study of breeching 4 dams," NWWednesday, Sept. 16].

Obama promised to respect science when he was inaugurated. The Obama administration and NOAA officials tell us the plan will keep the status quo. They also said if they wind up wrong, and the salmon move closer to extinction, they will deal with it then.

So we get more politics and games again? Why are we just trying to keep them barely above extinction? What about fishing, the kids, the orcas and economic impacts? We actually expected a change in salmon-recovery plans.

A national treasure and our highest icon are still in trouble, and now the song remains the same. The old bad plan is now the new bad plan.


Chuck Barnes, Bothell
Same Old Flawed Science
Seattle Times, September 21, 2009

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