KLAMATH FALLS, OR -- Biologists are scrambling to rescue baby salmon and other fish stranded in puddles of water along the banks of the Klamath River near the Oregon border.
The salmon problem comes after a March move by U.S. Interior Secretary Gale Norton and Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman to divert water from the Klamath River's source into farm fields along the California-Oregon border.
Norton and Veneman were responding to pleas from farmers that saw a shortage of irrigation water last year due to a record drought.
"We are investigating what's happening, and we are documenting what's happening, in terms of change in river flow," said Gary Stacey, regional fisheries program manager with the state Department of Fish and Game.
Biologists and U.S. Forest Service employees rescued about 130 stranded young salmon last week. Another 150 fish of various other species were rescued near the town of Happy Camp.
A federal district judge Wednesday scheduled a hearing for Friday to consider a request by fishermen and environmentalists who are seeking a court order to provide more water for salmon.
Thousands of salmon also died last year in dried-up rivers that feed the Klamath. Biologists are concerned about this spring's toll, despite the smaller size, because it came early in the season as limited amounts of water are being diverted to the farm fields.
Reclamation officials lowered the river flow near where many of the fish were found from 1,742 cubic feet per second to 1,347 cubic feet. Bureau of Reclamation spokesman Jeff McCracken said his agency wants to make sure an upstream lake was filled with water for irrigation.
"We adjust our releases in order to fill the lake," he said. "We are maintaining the releases that have been approved by the National Marine Fisheries Service."
The coho salmon is a candidate for protection under the California Endangered Species Act. The state Department of Fish and Game recommendation on whether to officially list the fish is due within days.
Bob Hight, director the department, learned of the stranded salmon Tuesday, but said he did not know whether state law had been violated.
"We have people on the ground working to resolve issues," Hight said. "We just wanted to get all our facts together before we did anything."
Hight said his department would contact the Bureau of Reclamation about the salmon stranding.
|
If you have come to this page from an outside location click here to get back to mindfully.org |