Columbia, Snake dams topic of public meetings

FISHERIES – Court-ordered federal public meetings are coming to the region next week, partly to explore the potential for eliminating four lower Snake River dams to boost survival of endangered salmon and steelhead fisheries.

Conservationists and others have renewed a push to remove four giant dams from the Snake River to save wild salmon runs after a federal judge criticized the government for failing to consider whether breaching the dams would save the fish.

Dam supporters also are promoting their stand that the dams are valuable for reliable power production, shipping agricultural crops and irrigation while still allowing fish passage.

In May, the judge rejected the government’s fifth and latest plan for protecting threatened and endangered salmon in the Columbia system.

Agencies must take a new look at all approaches to managing the southeast Washington dams, including breaching, said U.S. District Court Judge Michael Simon in Portland.

“This is an action that (government agencies) have done their utmost to avoid considering for decades,” he wrote.

His order triggered 15 public open-house meetings in Washington, Idaho, Montana and Oregon, where the dam removal issue has percolated for two decades.

The first meeting was held last month, and the final one is scheduled for Dec. 8. After that, a plan to save the salmon must be created.

Meetings in this region next week are scheduled from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. at:

Spokane, on Monday, Nov. 14, at the Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St.

Lewiston, on Wednesday, Nov. 16, at the Red Lion Lewiston, 621 21st St.

Conservationists who have attended meetings in Wenatchee and Missoula say the potential benefits of removing Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite dams is downplayed at the meetings.

Bald eagle cruises

for vets, military

WILDLIFE –Military veterans and active duty personnel are invited to sign up for two free bald eagle viewing cruises on Lake Coeur d’Alene set for Dec. 3.

Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday. Call the U.S. Bureau of Land Management at (208) 769-5004 to sign up for the morning cruise or (208) 769-5011 to reserve seating for the afternoon cruise.

The event is limited to veterans, active duty personnel and their families who have not participated on previous cruises. Registration is required and party size is limited to six persons. Spaces fill quickly.

Silver Bow shop

honored for service

RIVERS – The Spokane Riverkeeper and Center For Justice has awarded the 2016 Mike Chappell River Hero Award to Silver Bow Fly Shop owner Sean Visintainer and shop manager Michael Visintainer as well as the staff.

The annual award honors people who work to preserve and protect the Spokane River.

“Since the 1990’s when Sean acquired Silver Bow Fly Shop, the staff has been a part of river life,” said Rick Eichstaedt, executive director of the Center for Justice. “Always supportive of conservation efforts, they understood the link between a healthy river and a healthy economy.”

“In 2009, the shop began to focus guiding efforts on the Spokane River. At the same time they ramped up support of native trout conservation efforts, habitat improvement projects and public access projects that continue to open the river to the public.

“Sean, Michael and their staff probably know the river better than any one group in Spokane, logging many hours fishing and being ‘eyes’ on for issues and problems that occur out there.”