For immediate release – March 12, 2012
Contacts: Jon Marvel, Executive Director Western Watersheds Project, 208.788.2290
National Marine Fisheries Service Finds Existing Water Use Threatens Fish

On February 27, 2012 in response to a settlement of Western Watersheds Project litigation the National Marine Fisheries Service issued a Biological Opinion (BO) that finds that irrigation diversions on 12 Lemhi River tributaries on Forest Service administered land jeopardize the survival of steelhead and Chinook salmon.

“The National Marine Fisheries service has shown unexpected backbone with this decision.” said Jon Marvel, executive director of Western Watersheds Project, “Now the Forest Service will need to use its authority and finally address their legal obligation to provide adequate in-stream flows for listed fish”.

The Biological Opinion also directs that Reasonable and Prudent Measures be adopted that will ensure a minimum stream flow in the tributaries during the irrigation season as well as new headgate structures with fish screens.

Download the Biological Opinion & attachments

This unprecedented Biological Opinion requires the Forest Service to administer irrigation diversions on public lands to benefit the recovery of ESA listed steelhead and Chinook salmon.