Environmental groups in Northern California have banded together to sue the federal government as well as a variety of irrigation districts and cities. The environmentalists claim that hot, shallow water in the Sacramento River has killed most winter-run Chinook Salmon. This will be the second year that an estimated 5% of salmon make it out of the river alive. The lawsuit filed claims that the Bureau of Reclamation illegally diverted water from behind the Shasta Dam to use in commercial agriculture rather than using it to ensure a healthy salmon population. This case could set a precedent around the government's legal responsibility to protect native wildlife. A ruling could either enforce the |
protection and use of resources for wildlife over commerce or be a big step back for environmentalists if the court rules in favor of agriculture over wildlife. Either way, the case should bring attention to the devastated salmon population and there may be a resulting swell of rehabilitation efforts in their favor.
Original Article (link)
Original Article (link)