Tribes and wildlife advocates in Oregon are raising concerns about the endangered fish populations in the state as the Army Corps of Engineers has failed to provide a critical assessment of hydropower removal at several dams. The agency missed a deadline to submit a report required by the 2022 Water Resources Development Act, which would outline the elimination of hydropower at dams in the Willamette River Basin, including those in Portland.
This report is seen as a crucial piece of information needed for Congress and other stakeholders to justify the deauthorization of hydropower at these dams, which have been harmful to the local environment. Without this assessment, it is feared that endangered fish populations in Oregon are running out of time.
Tribes and wildlife advocates emphasize the importance of addressing the impact of hydropower on endangered fish and other wildlife in the area. They are urging the Army Corps of Engineers to provide the necessary assessment in order to protect the valuable ecosystems in the Willamette River Basin.
The delay in submitting this report has raised concerns about the future of the dams and the impact they have on the environment. It is hoped that the Army Corps of Engineers will take action soon to address these issues and ensure the protection of endangered fish populations in Oregon.
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