Plans issued for dams, salmon safety

The Bush Administration on Monday issued its final court-ordered plans for making Columbia Basin hydroelectric dams and irrigation projects safe for endangered salmon, calling them the most robust and comprehensive effort yet.

But salmon advocates blasted them as a step backward, saying they depend too much on restoring habitat in tributaries to boost fish numbers and not enough on reducing the high numbers of young salmon killed by 14 dams on their way to the sea.

"Ultimately, this plan shows it is time for Congress and the next administration to restore the balance in this river, assure the law and science are followed, and protect the thousands of family wage jobs," said Todd True, lead attorney for salmon advocates.

Once an expected challenge is filed, it will be up to U.S. District Judge James Redden to decide whether the plans -- known as biological opinions -- meet the demands of the Endangered Species Act to put salmon on the road to recovery.

Late last year he warned the original proposal was seriously flawed, and he would turn the job over to an independent panel of experts if it fails again.

The challenge is to boost the survival of young fish migrating to the ocean while still allowing the region's primary source of power to operate profitably, bankrolling much of the restoration effort.

The plans do not include removing four dams on the lower Snake River, which is favored by salmon advocates.