EPA ENTERS THE COLUMBIA RIVER SALMON CONTROVERSY THROUGH 


THE CLEAN WATER ACT STAGE DOOR





	Last week the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency entered the Columbia


River salmon recovery discussion by holding a water temperature workshop in


Portland.  


	Chuck Clark of EPA opened the workshop saying, "The ESA listing of salmon


and steelhead in the Columbia and Snake rivers is a sign of failure to do a


good job setting standards that support a healthy ecosystem.  The EPA has


had four water quality law suits brought against it in the four Northwest


states and lost them all.  This tells me we are not doing our job."  Clark


encouraged the participants, mostly scientists, to create a small box for


decision makers so they have less room maneuver and less flexibility.


	Many participants were pleased that EPA has finally stepped into the


Columbia River to test the water, because the Clean Water Act is powerful


and can be used to great effect in solving ecological problems for native


salmon.  


	Mel Karr presented data that showed natural stream temperatures compared


to a stream controlled by upstream reservoirs.  The natural stream is cooler


in the spring, it may reach a higher peak temperature in summer, but  cools


faster in the autumn, and is more variable all year long than a stream


influenced by a reservoir upstream.   Native salmonids are adapted to the


natural river and do poorly in a controlled river that has an overall warmer


flow throughout the year.  He used the example of the Snake River


(controlled) and the Salmon River (natural).  


	Dr. Charles Coutant noted that salmon are weakened by high temperatures


but die of other causes such as disease, and predation.  Temperature


overdoses are cumulative and can result in delayed mortality even when the


fish are placed back  in cool waters.


	Sally Sauter made a very clear statement about smolt response to


temperature.  She said salmon experience thermo shock at 68 F and die at 75.


The Columbia this summer was 72 F for several weeks.  The Oregon standard


for Columbia River surface temperature is to be no higher than 68 F.  The


optimum water temperature for salmon, trout, and steelhead is from 45 to 60 F.  


	There is strong evidence that the Columbia River and its tributaries,


especially the Snake River, have become increasingly hot since the 1950s.  


	Don Martin of EPA told the group that "we are not providing the


temperature conditions endangered populations of salmonids require to be


recovered to a healthy condition.  The water temperature criteria is not


being implemented by EPA."  Apparently the Oregon Department of


Environmental Quality and the Washington Department of Ecology are not


implementing the water conditions salmon need either.  These state water


quality programs are certified and supported by EPA.   Don Martin advised


the group, "We need to get the science aligned and develop biologically


based criteria."  


	The work shop participants were asked to develop priorities.  Some


priorities that were developed in small group sessions were: enforce the


existing laws;  remove the dams; improve coordination, enforcement, and


information flow, and find ways to break through agency turf. Amen.