OLYMPIA — Conservation and fishermen’s groups are suing the Washington State Department of Ecology to allow more water over dams along the Columbia and Snake rivers to protect salmon and steelhead.
Earthjustice filed the lawsuit today in Thurston County Superior Court.
The environmental law firm is representing the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association, Association of Northwest Steelheaders, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, Institute for Fisheries Resources and Idaho Rivers United.
The groups want Washington to change water quality standards to allow more water to spill over dams. They say increased water releases over the dams rather than running it through turbines improves salmon’s chances of surviving their migration.
Ecology denied the groups’ petition in March citing concerns about possible harm to other aquatic life.
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