DOE seeks feedback on salmon recovery efforts

OLYMPIA – Now that we have your attention regarding salmon from the just completed Brewster Salmon Derby, the Washington Department of Ecology (DOE) is accepting feedback on proposed rules changes aimed at helping increase salmon migration in the Snake and Columbia rivers.
The rules changes would allow hydropower dams on both rivers to spill more water over the dams at crucial times to improve juvenile salmon migration. The DOE proposes to change the water quality standard for Total Dissolved Gas during spring spill season in the two rivers.
“Increased spill over the dams has the potential to be a win-win for salmon, orca, and power generation,” said Heather Bartlett, Ecology’s Water Quality program manager. “We are at a critical time for our orca and salmon. This is a change we can make relatively quickly to help with the long-term recovery efforts.
Taking action to allow more spill over the dams is one of the Southern Resident Orca Task Force recommendations to the Governor. Salmon runs on the Snake and Columbia rivers include Chinook, the Southern Resident orca’s primary food.
Total Dissolved Gas refers to the amount of nitrogen and oxygen allowed in the rivers and DOE is proposing to change the amount of gas allowed. While there is a risk to increasing the amount of gas, the spillways offer a safer route for fish migrating downstream than passing through the turbines.
The DOE is accepting feedback through Sept. 26. More details on the proposal, information on public hearings, and instructions on how to submit comments are available on Ecology’s rulemaking webpage, https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Laws-rules-rulemaking/Rulemaking/WAC173-201A-revisions