Overview
- Separate preliminary-injunction motions were filed in U.S. District Court in Oregon by the state and the National Wildlife Federation, represented by Earthjustice.
- Plaintiffs seek to lower reservoir levels and increase spill to speed juvenile salmon passage and reduce turbine encounters.
- The requests target eight federal projects: Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose, Lower Granite, Bonneville, The Dalles, John Day and McNary.
- Named defendants include the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, with several federal contacts returning furlough notices to requests for comment.
- Port and navigation groups warn higher spill would hinder barge traffic and disrupt regional commerce.