Links to news items from 1995, 2000, 2003
The problems of decline continue unabated. It is chilling to read material from 1995 alongside the contemporary news - little progress has been achieved in five years!
Western Alaskan Salmon Disaster.
The very serious decline of Pacific Coast salmon Stocks continues: As of Oct.
6, 2000, the fall chum salmon return to the Yukon river was reported by the AK
Dept. of Fish and Game to be 254,000 fish, the lowest on record. [Fish Info
Service]
Action against Government for violations of Endangered Species Act
Elk Creek Dam. On Jan. 3, 2000, the Western Environmental Law Center filed a
notice of intent to sue the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and NMFS for alleged
Endangered Species Act violations for operation of Elk Creek Dam in the Rogue
River drainage, OR. The fear is that operation of the dam is endangering ESA-listed
coho salmon. [personal communication]
However, some interests were surprised that anyone who killed, harmed, or
harassed threatened salmon populations or their habitat could face up to a year
in jail and a $50,000 fine. A total of 22 public hearings on these proposed
regulations are scheduled between Jan. 10, 2000 and Feb. 3, 2000. [Fed.
Register, Assoc Press]