Judge Says, Drop Those Dams

The federal judge who presided over the court battle between Columbia River salmon advocates and hydropower supporters has made his thoughts on the matter clear, stating four controversial lower Snake River dams should be removed. During an interview for a documentary to air later this summer, U.S. District Court Judge James Redden said the government and the Bonneville Power Administration had made improvements for salmon by increasing flows through the Columbia’s hydropower system. But added, “I think we need to take those dams down.”

This was his first interview since stepping down from the case last fall.

Via The Seattle Times: “It’s certainly a welcome announcement to see that’s what he believes after basically studying this issue for 10 years,” said Nicole Cordan, policy director for Save Our Wild Salmon. “It’s reaffirming to have this very smart man who came to this issue unbiased and over the years has looked at the law and the scientific and policy choices and come to this conclusion. It feels good.”

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