[env-trinity] Feds sued over Klamath River salmon parasite outbreaks

[Tom Stokely]

http://www.times-standard.com/general-news/20160729/feds-sued-over-klamath-river-salmon-parasite-outbreaks


Feds sued over Klamath River salmon parasite outbreaks

Tribes call for improved flows, dam releases
By Will Houston, Eureka Times-StandardFriday, July 29, 2016The Hoopa Valley Tribe has followed through on its threat to sue two federal agencies if they did not take steps to prevent parasite outbreaks on threatened Klamath River coho salmon.In its lawsuit, the North Coast tribe claims that the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and National Marine Fisheries Service knowingly violated the Endangered Species Act and its own biological guidelines by allowing up to 91 percent of coho salmon juveniles to become infected by intestinal parasites in 2014 and 2015.“It is unfortunate that it will take this lawsuit to gain the attention of the federal agencies,” Hoopa Valley Tribal Chairman Ryan Jackson said in a statement on Friday. “However, this action is unavoidable if we are to protect our fishery resources for future generations. “This (Endangered Species Act) suit is not the warning of a miner’s canary; it is the tsunami siren alerting North Coast communities of impending environmental catastrophe and cultural devastation for the Hoopa Valley Tribe.” Representatives from the Bureau of Reclamation and National Marine Fisheries Service declined to comment Friday as they were still reviewing the litigation. A series of meetings between the federal agencies and two other North Coast tribes are set to occur in the coming weeks that will seek to prevent further lawsuits.The Hoopa Valley Tribe’s lawsuit is calling for the two agencies to revise their management of the river’s flows through the use of dam water releases. Tribal and other local researchers claim that well-timed dam water releases in the spring and winter can help reduce the risks of parasite outbreaks. This is accomplished by flushing away the parasites and their intermediate hosts as well as cooling the water, which reduces the stress on salmon immune systems.The Hoopa Valley Tribe’s litigation may be one of three lawsuits the Bureau of Reclamation and National Marine Fisheries Services could face over concerns of Klamath River salmon and alleged Endangered Species Act violations. Nearly a month after the Hoopa Valley Tribe’s sent their 60-day notice in May, the Yurok and Karuk tribes sent a separate 60-day notice to the two federal agencies. Earlier this month, four environmental organizations also filed a third 60-day notice to the federal agencies.The impetus of these legal actions is a March 2016 letter the National Marine Fisheries Services sent to the Bureau of Reclamation, which stated that the high parasite infection rate of coho salmon is “expected” during dry years and therefore does not require an immediate change in river management.A 2013 biological opinion created by the National Marine Fisheries Service currently allows up to 49 percent of juvenile coho salmon in the Klamath River to be infected by the parasite as a result of the bureau’s dam operations. Coho salmon are listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.Should the infection rates climb above 49 percent, the Bureau of Reclamation is obligated to consult with the National Marine Fisheries Service to discuss possible changes of operations.However, the National Marine Fisheries Service’s letter states that it plans to change its 2013 biological opinion before April 2017, specifically revising how many salmon would be allowed to be harmed or killed by the parasite in these drier, low-flow years.“The effect of these actions stands the law on its head,” the Hoopa Valley Tribe’s attorney Thomas Schlosser said in a statement. “The Hoopa Valley Tribe’s fishery, not irrigation and dam operations, has priority for Klamath River water under both federal Indian law and reclamation law.”The Karuk Tribe’s Natural Resources Policy Adviser Craig Tucker said the Karuk and Yurok tribes have met with federal representatives to negotiate possible solutions.“If those meetings don’t resolve the issue, we’ll be in court too,” Tucker said. “So far the agencies have indicated a willingness to solve it outside of court.”Will Houston can be reached at 707-441-0504.  URL: http://www.times-standard.com/general-news/20160729/feds-sued-over-klamath-river-salmon-parasite-outbreaks© 2016 Eureka Times-Standard (http://www.times-standard.com)
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