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Feds consider removing Snake River dams in leaked agreement with plaintiffs in lawsuit
The Biden administration and federal agencies are prepared to remove four lower Snake River dams to save imperiled salmon species, according to a leaked proposal among parties in a federal lawsuit and the administration’s environmental council. Republican representatives in the Northwest, as well as some electric utilities, are not pleased about the proposed agreement. The […]
West Coast leaders urge feds to reverse decision allowing natural gas pipeline expansion
State attorneys general in Oregon, Washington and California and two Oregon-based environmental groups are asking federal energy regulators to reconsider their approval of a natural gas pipeline project that would increase the flow of gas through the Northwest. Federal regulators voted unanimously Oct. 19 to allow Calgary-based TC Energy to expand the capacity of its […]
Projects to restore Columbia River Basin health in Oregon get $31 million
Oregon tribes, state agencies, farmers and ranchers are getting more than $31 million from the federal government to reduce toxic pollution in the Columbia River and its tributaries. It’s the last of $79 million that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has dedicated to improving the health of the Columbia River Basin since 2021, under the […]
Court case on fate of Snake River dams, imperiled salmon postponed at least 45 more days
Parties to a lawsuit challenging the federal government over its plans to continue operating dams on the Snake River at the expense of salmon runs asked a federal court in Oregon for more time to negotiate with one another. A coalition of conservation groups represented by the nonprofit environmental law organization Earthjustice, with support from […]
Federal regulators approve natural gas pipeline expansion through Oregon, Washington and N. Idaho
Despite opposition from Northwest Democratic leaders, federal regulators voted unanimously Thursday to allow more natural gas to flow through Oregon, Idaho, Washington and northern California. The decision, made after a 10-minute reading of agenda items by the four members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, allows Calgary-based TC Energy to expand the capacity of its […]
Oregon agrees to transfer 10 wolves to Colorado after other Western states decline
Oregon has agreed to transfer wolves to Colorado after other states declined to participate in that state’s new program. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will allow Colorado’s Parks and Wildlife Department to trap and transfer up to 10 gray wolves from northeastern Oregon to Colorado. Oregon officials agreed to the plan after their […]
EPA accepting applications from Northwest states, tribes for millions in grants to cut pollution
State, local and tribal governments hoping to finance projects that curb pollution and greenhouse gas emissions have an opportunity to receive millions in federal funding. Officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced late last month that they have $4.6 billion in total grants available for states and hundreds of millions for Northwest states and […]
Environmental groups ask Avista, Puget Sound Energy utilities to leave powerful gas lobby
A coalition of 17 environmental groups are asking two of the largest electric and natural gas utilities in the Pacific Northwest to end their membership in a powerful gas trade group that’s fighting climate change policies. Environmental organizations — including the Sierra Club, Eugene-based Breach Collective and Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility — said in […]
Third of Oregon counties now in a drought emergency
Twelve of 36 counties, covering half the land in Oregon, are in a state of emergency over drought, with local officials calling for help. Gov. Tina Kotek Wednesday declared the latest drought emergencies in Gilliam, Douglas and Lincoln counties, the 10th, and 12th such declarations of the year. The declarations follow requests for drought aid […]
Oregon Fish and Wildlife approves killing of wolves in eastern Oregon, angering conservationists
Oregon state fish and wildlife officials authorized the killing of six gray wolves in eastern Oregon during the past six weeks, bringing relief to ranchers who lost livestock to the wolves and heartache and anger to conservationists who see the killings as inhumane and ineffective. The six wolves were caught with foothold traps and then […]
Oregon cherry growers ask governor for disaster declaration after third bad season in a row
Oregon cherry growers are asking state leaders to help them with financial relief after a third bad season spurred by climate change. On July 31, Oregon House Rep. Jeff Helfrich, R-Hood River, asked Gov. Tina Kotek to declare a disaster for the growers. “In light of current circumstances and to provide the necessary support to […]
Billions spent on hatcheries, habitat fails to help native Columbia River salmon, study finds
Decades of data show that despite billions in taxpayer investment, salmon and steelhead hatchery programs and restoration projects in the Columbia River Basin have failed to support or boost native fish populations and in fact are contributing to their decline. Oregon State University economics professor William Jaeger and Mark Scheuerell, a biologist with the U.S. […]