In brief: Judge gives more time for salmon plan
A federal judge has given the government a little more time to submit a better plan for making dams safe for protecting Columbia Basin salmon. But he warned the consequences “could be harsh” if he rejects this plan, like two previous efforts.
U.S. District Judge James Redden postponed a March 1 deadline until March 18 for a new “biological opinion.” He warned this week that a draft of the government’s third plan doesn’t look much better than the one he rejected in 2004, or the one before that.
The National Wildlife Federation said it may seek a court order to increase river flow through Columbia River dams in time for the spring salmon runs. Federal attorneys say more water can kill fish in some situations.
Meanwhile, attorneys for the Colville and Yakama tribes said the new draft virtually ignores their fishing rights.
Like its predecessors, the current plan would leave Snake River dams intact. Critics contend that breaching the four Eastern Washington dams is the only way to save Snake River salmon runs.
– Associated Press
Yakima
Man, woman sought in fatal hit-and-run
A Yakima man and woman are being sought in connection with a September hit-and-run that killed a 77-year-old man in downtown Spokane.
Billy Garner, 48, is believed to be in hiding, said Spokane police Officer Glenn Bartlett, who has been investigating the case. Garner is wanted on charges of vehicular homicide and hit-and-run resulting in death.
Police say Don Seever was killed when the truck driven by Garner backed into him in a parking lot at a downtown apartment building as Seever tried to close a gate.
Witnesses told police that Garner had been kicked out of the nearby Zombie Room bar and that he was angry and revving his engine when he hit Seever.
In October, police in Yakima recovered the white 2004 Ford F-150 they believe was involved in the crash.
Garner’s passenger, 39-year-old Lisa Byrd, has an escape warrant from the Washington State Department of Corrections. Byrd is also wanted for questioning in connection with the hit-and-run.
– Amy Cannata
Olympia
Web site lists needs of flooding victims
The state of Washington has established a Web page with information about helping West Side communities affected by this month’s disastrous flooding.
The site, www.emd.wa.gov, lists the needs of people in Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason and Thurston counties. Among the hundreds of requested items: wheelbarrows, blankets, diapers and other personal hygiene products, thousands of pairs of work gloves, and 6,000 size D batteries.
The flooding stems from a Dec. 3 storm that dumped several inches of rain in the lowlands and melted mountain snow, resulting in some deaths and forcing state officials to close Interstate 5.
Gov. Chris Gregoire has estimated the economic impact in the billions of dollars, and President Bush on Sunday declared a major disaster in southeastern Washington and northwestern Oregon.
– Staff reports