Idaho Salmon Workgroup Expected To Release Recommendations This Month

The Idaho Salmon Workgroup, created by Governor Brad Little has wrapped up their work to address fish populations in the Northwest. Brian Brooks is not only a member of ISW, but he is also the executive director of the Idaho Wildlife Federation. He said the most crucial recommendation, removing four dams on the lower Snake River in SE Washington, was taken off the table early in the process. He called the other proposals that will be in the group's final report "low-hanging fruit."

“The recommendations we did come up with – they will move the needle. They will help fish. Unfortunately, they will not get us to those levels of abundance that Idahoans want.”

Other environmental groups, such as Columbia Riverkeeper from Washington, claim salmon and steelhead struggle to navigate the Snake and Columbia rivers. They’ve even called the current situation dire.

The Idaho Salmon Workgroup's final report is expected sometime in January. In October, the governors of Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Montana signed an agreement to work regionally on salmon and steelhead populations.

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