Ithaca 37
New member
These were in todays Idaho Statesman newspaper:
Once again, Larry Craig has demonstrated his blatant disregard for Idaho´s environment with the possible passage of the energy bill and its hydropower provision, which would give huge amounts of liberties to the power companies.
Under the guise of “restoring balance,” Craig is bending over backward to destroy Idaho´s salmon and their habitat in order to keep his biggest campaign contributor happy.
It is time to think about what makes Idaho great — the forests, the fish and the outdoors.
If Craig and his ilk are allowed to run unchecked, Idaho will no longer be the pristine state it once was. Once ecosystems are destroyed, and species become extinct, it can never be repaired.
Craig is out for Craig, and this latest move by the esteemed senator proves that beyond a doubt.
I am proud that I, for one, have never voted for Larry Craig and never will.
Beth Lockwood, Caldwell
Fish and dams
Fishery scientists independent from their employers signed a letter several years ago, but NOAA Fisheries, state and federal government did not listen.
Oh, it raised a ruckus among elected officials who apparently don´t understand the concept of freedom of speech.
The letter´s main message — dams are the problem for wild salmon and steelhead recovery.
Granted, dams are not the only problem, but if dam passage problems are not resolved, fixing all of the other problems just won´t matter for dwindling fish stocks. The percentage of wild returning fish is too low.
Now, a federal judge has weighed in on the dams.
The dams and the reservoirs, in my view, “harvest” too many out-migrating smolts.
NOAA Fisheries´ Biological Opinion did not meet the standard set by the Endangered Species Act, in the view of the judge.
I think that´s a good thing, because there is no room for politics interfering with rational thought on the matter of salmon and steelhead recovery.
Elected officials should seek real solutions and not obstruct real recovery actions.
Time is running out.
You can always replace a dam, but extinction is forever. If only fish could talk.
Roy Heberger, fish biologist, retired, Boise
Trust the pros
Most politicians, with the exception of Oregon´s governor, ignored what most fish biologists in the Pacific Northwest said: The dams on the Snake River must go to maintain future wild populations of chinook salmon and steelhead in Idaho.
If you were sick, most normal people would see a medical doctor and not a politician to make them healthy. So why not listen to the professional biologists? NOAA Fisheries Biological Opinion concentrated on expensive, minor fixes to a river system and not the major problem, the four dams on the Snake River, and many of these recommended fixes have not been completed, due to limited federal funding.
Don´t be deceived by recent increases in Snake River salmon and steelhead. They were mainly the result of hatchery fish surviving in higher numbers due to favorable ocean conditions. Idaho´s runs of wild fish are still very low. Our state politicians are in favor of maintaining the dam system that generates minimal energy, an expensive barge system out of Lewiston, and reduced water to flush fish downstream.
The judge and biologists are right; our politicians are wrong.
Robert House, fish biologist, retired, Eagle
http://www.idahostatesman.com/Opinion/story.asp?ID=39700
Once again, Larry Craig has demonstrated his blatant disregard for Idaho´s environment with the possible passage of the energy bill and its hydropower provision, which would give huge amounts of liberties to the power companies.
Under the guise of “restoring balance,” Craig is bending over backward to destroy Idaho´s salmon and their habitat in order to keep his biggest campaign contributor happy.
It is time to think about what makes Idaho great — the forests, the fish and the outdoors.
If Craig and his ilk are allowed to run unchecked, Idaho will no longer be the pristine state it once was. Once ecosystems are destroyed, and species become extinct, it can never be repaired.
Craig is out for Craig, and this latest move by the esteemed senator proves that beyond a doubt.
I am proud that I, for one, have never voted for Larry Craig and never will.
Beth Lockwood, Caldwell
Fish and dams
Fishery scientists independent from their employers signed a letter several years ago, but NOAA Fisheries, state and federal government did not listen.
Oh, it raised a ruckus among elected officials who apparently don´t understand the concept of freedom of speech.
The letter´s main message — dams are the problem for wild salmon and steelhead recovery.
Granted, dams are not the only problem, but if dam passage problems are not resolved, fixing all of the other problems just won´t matter for dwindling fish stocks. The percentage of wild returning fish is too low.
Now, a federal judge has weighed in on the dams.
The dams and the reservoirs, in my view, “harvest” too many out-migrating smolts.
NOAA Fisheries´ Biological Opinion did not meet the standard set by the Endangered Species Act, in the view of the judge.
I think that´s a good thing, because there is no room for politics interfering with rational thought on the matter of salmon and steelhead recovery.
Elected officials should seek real solutions and not obstruct real recovery actions.
Time is running out.
You can always replace a dam, but extinction is forever. If only fish could talk.
Roy Heberger, fish biologist, retired, Boise
Trust the pros
Most politicians, with the exception of Oregon´s governor, ignored what most fish biologists in the Pacific Northwest said: The dams on the Snake River must go to maintain future wild populations of chinook salmon and steelhead in Idaho.
If you were sick, most normal people would see a medical doctor and not a politician to make them healthy. So why not listen to the professional biologists? NOAA Fisheries Biological Opinion concentrated on expensive, minor fixes to a river system and not the major problem, the four dams on the Snake River, and many of these recommended fixes have not been completed, due to limited federal funding.
Don´t be deceived by recent increases in Snake River salmon and steelhead. They were mainly the result of hatchery fish surviving in higher numbers due to favorable ocean conditions. Idaho´s runs of wild fish are still very low. Our state politicians are in favor of maintaining the dam system that generates minimal energy, an expensive barge system out of Lewiston, and reduced water to flush fish downstream.
The judge and biologists are right; our politicians are wrong.
Robert House, fish biologist, retired, Eagle
http://www.idahostatesman.com/Opinion/story.asp?ID=39700
