A decision on the proposed spill reduction pilot programme for Columbia and Snake river dams has been postponed as US federal agencies continue to work out mitigation measures with regional groups.
Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have received comments on their three year trial to alter summer spills and were originally expected to publish details of an amended plan this week.
The delay will give agencies more time to consider ways of offsetting the impacts of the changes so that salmon and steelhead get equal or better protection when the plan is introduced.
‘We are making progress and are working on some good solid offsets that make sense,’ said Steve Wright of BPA. But he added: ‘we’re not there yet. It will require more work on our part, and continuing collaboration with a number of parties.’
Representatives of BPA, USACE and other partner agencies will meet with states and tribes to discuss the amended proposal at a date to be decided.
See the weblink below for more information on the spill proposals and to read the comments received.
Related ArticlesBPA proposes spill programme changesExternal weblinksSalmonRecovery.gov