Suit seeks more water for salmon

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Conservation and fishermen’s groups are suing the Washington State Department of Ecology to allow more water over dams along the Columbia and Snake rivers to protect salmon and steelhead. Earthjustice filed the lawsuit in Thurston County Superior Court on Thursday. The environmental law firm is representing the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association, Association of Northwest Steelheaders, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, Institute for Fisheries Resources and Idaho Rivers United. They say increased water releases over the dams improves salmon’s chances of surviving their migration. Ecology denied the groups’ petition in March, citing concerns about possible harm to other aquatic life.