Governor Otter Signs, Renews Failed Federal Salmon/Steelhead Contract

Despite criticism, plummeting fish populations, and fishing closures, Governor Otter signed a “Fish Accord” extension with the federal Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) early this month, extending the federal plans that were designed to sustain salmon and steelhead populations, but have failed spectacularly.

To learn about the Fish Accord contract between the State of Idaho and BPA, follow this link to our previous article. To summarize: BPA (who sells power generated by Snake River dams and other sources) and the Governor negotiate the Accord, which details BPA’s fish management plans, and in return for resigning authority to BPA the Governor also agrees not to sue or challenge BPA in exchange for money for fish projects.

In ten years, the original 2008 Accord has not recovered Idaho’s fish and the Governor has remained indifferent. So much so, that a new Accord was just signed despite public outcry for Idaho to get off the sideline and take the reins from the feds.

One astoundingly alarming change in the new Accord Extension actually limits the best scientifically validated tool we have right now for keeping Idaho’s fish from going extinct – spill over the dams. And this Accord is supposed to help fish.

Idaho could take leadership in one of many ways. First, the Governor should validate the abysmal fish counts and call for action. He could advocate for: new rules for gill-netting on the Columbia, hastening federal legislation to start culling artificially inflated populations of pinnipeds (sea lions, seals) and avian predators, equalize recreational fishing harvest among the three NW states, management changes to the hydropower system, convene an interstate forum to discuss any and all options, and on and on. Any advocacy standing up for Idaho fish would be appreciated from our leadership.

Idaho’s salmon and steelhead are in dire straits right now, in danger of extinction soon. Salmon fishing seasons are getting shut down and steelhead bag limits reduced, really damaging the economies of fish communities. That’s where the state’s commitment to federal salmon policy has gotten us. It’s time for Idaho solutions that bring Idaho fish back