NORTHWEST
Study: dams led to salmon die-off on Snake River
East Oregonian
Page 2A
AP file photo
In this Oct. 19, 2016 file photo, a man fishes for salmon
in the Snake River above the Lower Granite Dam in
Washington state.
Engineers to take a hard look
at breaching the dams to keep
water temperatures healthy
for fish.
“Snake River dam removal
needs to be on the table,”
Johnson said. “Because it will
work.”
Last year, a federal judge
in Portland rejected the federal
government’s latest proposal
for managing dams in the
Columbia Basin. U.S. District
Court Judge Michal Simon
ruled the plan needs a major
overhaul, and that breaching
one or more of the lower Snake
dams ought to be considered.
In its analysis, Columbia
Riverkeeper focused on 2015
because, as Johnson said, it
shows what could become
the new normal for the
region given climate change,
with the Pacific Northwest
BRIEFLY
Amazon plans
to add another
massive Oregon
warehouse
director
for
Northwest
RiverPartners, criticized the
modeling in the report, which
she said is overly simple
and one-dimensional. It is
especially glaring that the
study did not incorporate use
of cold water in Brownlee and
Dworshak reservoirs to reduce
water temperature during the
2015 crisis, she added.
“This is hardly a
convincing analysis to argue
for Snake dam removal, a
draconian action given the
benefits these dams provide,”
Flores said.
Northwest RiverPartners is
an organization that represents
farmers, ports, electric utilities
and businesses along the
Columbia and Snake rivers.
Flores said the study is a thinly
disguised attempt to under-
mine legislation that would
keep the current salmon plan
in place while agencies work
out a new hydro system oper-
ations plan.
A spokeswoman for the
Army Corps of Engineers
in Walla Walla declined
to comment on the study
Monday. The Corps is
working along with Bureau
of Reclamation and Bonne-
ville Power Administration
on an updated environmental
impact statement on 14 dams
within the interior Columbia
Basin, including the lower
Snake dams.
By GEORGE PLAVEN
East Oregonian
A new report released
by environmental advocacy
group Columbia Riverkeeper
suggests that the massive
die-off of Snake River sockeye
salmon during the exception-
ally hot and dry summer of
2015 could have been avoided,
if not for the four federal dams
on the lower Snake River in
eastern Washington.
More than 250,000 endan-
gered sockeye died due to
a lethal combination of hot
weather and low flows that
raised water temperatures
in the Columbia and Snake
rivers. Migrating salmon rely
on cold water for survival,
and have trouble moving
upstream as temperatures
reach 68 degrees.
Using computer simula-
tions, Columbia Riverkeeper
determined that average river
temperatures would likely
have remained below 68
degrees in the lower Snake
River if the four dams — Ice
Harbor, Lower Monumental,
Little Goose and Lower
Granite — were not in place.
Miles Johnson, clean
water attorney for Columbia
Riverkeeper and one of the
authors on the report, said he
hopes it will prompt the Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency
and U.S. Army Corps of
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
trending toward wetter
springs and hotter summers.
The study, which was
released Aug. 14, uses a
model known as “RBM-10,”
developed by the EPA in 2001
to study temperatures of the
Columbia and Snake rivers.
RBM-10 takes into account
a number of different factors,
including air temperature
and river geometry, to come
up with a prediction of water
temperature.
According to the report,
a free-flowing lower Snake
River would have remained
cooler than 68 degrees
throughout most of the
summer of 2015. On the other
hand, temperatures broke 68
degrees from mid-June until
September in most of the
dammed lower Snake.
Terry Flores, executive
PORTLAND (AP)
— Amazon plans to hire
more than 1,000 full-time
employees to work in a
new packing and shipping
warehouse in Salem.
The company
announced the million-
square-foot facility on
Monday, but declined to
say when it will be up and
running.
Sanjay Shah is
Amazon’s vice president of
North America Customer
Fulfillment.
Shah said in a
statement that support
from Gov. Kate Brown,
local leaders and others
was instrumental in the
company’s decision to put
the warehouse in the state
capital.
The online retail giant
previously announced
plans to put a similar
warehouse in Troutdale,
near Portland.
Brown says Amazon’s
expansion means “more
jobs and bright futures” for
Oregonians.
Hillary Clinton to
speak in Portland
to promote book
New path sought for high-voltage transmission lines
BOISE, Idaho (AP) —
Federal officials on Monday
reopened public comments on
proposed routes for two high-
voltage transmission lines in
Idaho intended to modernize
the Pacific Northwest’s energy
grid.
The U.S. Bureau of Land
Management announced it
will take comments through
Sept. 27 for two segments
of the Gateway West project
proposed by Idaho Power and
Rocky Mountain Power.
The BLM in January
approved routes for the two
500-kilovolt
transmission
lines on public land in Idaho’s
Gooding, Elmore, Owyhee,
Cassia and Twin Falls coun-
ties.
But legislation by Idaho
Republican
Rep.
Mike
Simpson signed into law in
May by President Donald
Trump mandates segments
not connected to those routes.
The legislation removes
2,800 acres from the Morley
Nelson Snake River Birds of
Prey National Conservation
Area so 74 miles of transmis-
sion lines can go through.
The BLM is now trying
to connect the remaining 250
miles of transmission lines
with those segments. As part
of that process, it’s taking
public comments for an envi-
ronmental assessment.
“We need to make sure
the alternative we now select
connects with those two
statutory rights of way,” said
BLM spokeswoman Heather
Feeney.
The 1,000-mile Gateway
West project is one side of a
giant triangle of transmission
lines that Rocky Mountain
Power says are necessary to
meet future demands in the
region and improve reliability.
One part is finished, and the
other segment is at an earlier
stage in the environmental
review process.
The segment going through
Idaho would deliver power
from southern Wyoming
to points west, potentially
tapping into Wyoming’s wind
energy. Federal officials have
already approved the rest of
the Gateway West project, but
no work has started.
Feeney said a draft of the
environmental
assessment
on the remaining segments
should be ready by the end of
this year, with a final decision
expected in the spring.
“The route through the
Birds of Prey was a fair and
balanced outcome to this
transmission siting effort,”
said Idaho Power spokes-
woman Stephanie McCurdy.
“The State of Idaho, local
units of government, ranchers,
environmental interests and
project proponents worked
hard together to find this
locally driven, common sense
solution.”
The BLM has been
working on the project since
2008, trying to thread the
powerlines through a mixture
of private, state and public
lands that also includes key
habitat for imperiled sage
grouse and the national
conservation area that is prime
habitat for raptors.
It’s been a difficult process,
and the final decision in
January was appealed by envi-
ronmental groups, causing it
to head to the Interior Board
of Land Appeals.
Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch”
Otter also asked Interior
Secretary Ryan Zinke to direct
the BLM to reconsider its
January decision and review
other routes using more
federal public land. The BLM
then asked the Interior Board
of Land Appeals to remand
the matter.
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East Oregonian (USPS 164-980) is published daily except Sunday, Monday
and Dec. 25, by the EO Media Group, 211 S.E. Byers Ave. Pendleton, OR 97801.
Periodicals postage paid at Pendleton, OR. Postmaster: send address changes to
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PORTLAND (AP)
— Former Democratic
presidential candidate
Hillary Clinton will visit
Portland to promote
her new book, “What
Happened.”
In the book to be
released Sept. 12, Clinton
discusses her losing
presidential bid, her
thoughts on being a woman
in politics and what it was
like to campaign against
President Donald Trump.
She will speak Dec. 12
at Arlene Schnitzer Concert
Hall.
Tickets go on sale Sept.
18.
Portland is her last stop
on an eight-city book tour
that starts in late October.
Single copy price:
$1 Tuesday through Friday, $1.50 Saturday
TODAY
WEDNESDAY
Mostly sunny and
very hot
Sunny and very
warm
100° 64°
94° 60°
THURSDAY
Abundant sun and
pleasant
FRIDAY
Very warm with
plenty of sun
PENDLETON TEMPERATURE FORECAST
88° 61°
93° 62°
98° 63°
HERMISTON TEMPERATURE FORECAST
96° 61°
102° 64°
PENDLETON
through 3 p.m. yesterday
TEMPERATURE
HIGH
LOW
95°
84°
105° (1972)
59°
55°
37° (1909)
PRECIPITATION
24 hours ending 3 p.m.
Month to date
Normal month to date
Year to date
Last year to date
Normal year to date
0.00"
0.07"
0.38"
11.37"
7.34"
8.33"
HERMISTON
through 3 p.m. yesterday
TEMPERATURE
Yesterday
Normals
Records
HIGH
LOW
97°
85°
101° (1986)
60°
54°
40° (1964)
PRECIPITATION
24 hours ending 3 p.m.
Month to date
Normal month to date
Year to date
Last year to date
Normal year to date
Trace
0.06"
0.18"
6.65"
4.99"
6.10"
SUN AND MOON
Sunrise today
Sunset tonight
Moonrise today
Moonset today
First
Full
Aug 29
Sep 5
Last
Sep 12
95° 59°
101° 61°
Seattle
85/58
ALMANAC
Yesterday
Normals
Records
91° 60°
6:13 a.m.
7:39 p.m.
2:25 p.m.
none
New
Sep 19
Spokane
Wenatchee
98/65
98/68
Tacoma
Moses
84/54
Lake
Pullman
Aberdeen Olympia
Yakima 101/59
98/58
67/58
83/54
102/60
Longview
Kennewick Walla Walla
84/57
99/70 Lewiston
101/63
Astoria
101/66
68/55
Portland
Enterprise
Hermiston
90/59
Pendleton 95/56
The Dalles 102/64
100/64
100/65
La Grande
Salem
96/55
90/55
Albany
Corvallis 88/52
85/51
John Day
98/58
Ontario
Eugene
Bend
100/62
85/52
96/55
Caldwell
Burns
100/65
96/49
REGIONAL CITIES
Today
Classified & Legal Advertising
1-800-962-2819 or 541-278-2678
classifieds@eastoregonian.com or legals@eastoregonian.com
NEWS
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email rstruthers@eastoregonian.com or visit www.eastoregonian.
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Astoria
Baker City
Bend
Brookings
Burns
Enterprise
Eugene
Heppner
Hermiston
John Day
Klamath Falls
La Grande
Meacham
Medford
Newport
North Bend
Ontario
Pasco
Pendleton
Portland
Redmond
Salem
Spokane
Ukiah
Vancouver
Walla Walla
Yakima
Hi
68
99
96
64
96
95
85
97
102
98
93
96
94
98
63
64
100
100
100
90
99
90
98
96
89
99
102
Lo
55
52
55
53
49
56
52
62
64
58
50
55
53
60
53
54
62
60
64
59
51
55
65
51
56
70
60
W
c
s
pc
pc
s
pc
s
s
s
s
pc
s
s
pc
pc
pc
s
s
s
s
pc
s
s
s
s
s
s
NATIONAL WEATHER TODAY
Wed.
Hi
68
94
88
65
92
91
79
91
96
92
87
90
88
90
63
66
98
96
94
79
89
81
92
90
78
94
96
Lo
55
49
49
55
46
53
52
59
61
54
46
52
49
56
51
53
62
54
60
60
44
57
57
48
60
64
57
W
pc
s
pc
pc
s
s
pc
s
s
s
pc
s
s
pc
pc
pc
pc
s
s
pc
pc
pc
s
s
pc
s
s
WORLD CITIES
Today
Beijing
Hong Kong
Jerusalem
London
Mexico City
Moscow
Paris
Rome
Seoul
Sydney
Tokyo
Hi
78
91
84
79
69
59
91
88
74
63
87
Lo
59
82
64
56
58
44
67
67
59
48
76
W
pc
pc
s
pc
c
c
pc
s
pc
pc
c
Wed.
Hi
81
92
84
59
72
64
79
86
75
64
85
Lo
63
82
64
50
56
47
55
67
60
47
72
W
s
s
s
r
c
c
t
s
c
sh
r
WINDS
Medford
98/60
(in mph)
Klamath Falls
93/50
Boardman
Pendleton
REGIONAL FORECAST
Coastal Oregon: Hazy sunshine today.
Cooler across the north; smoky in the south.
Eastern and Central Oregon: Mostly sunny
and very hot today. Patchy clouds tonight.
Hot tomorrow.
Western Washington: Plenty of sunshine
today; however, low clouds at the coast.
Eastern Washington: Sunshine today. Clear
tonight. Sunshine tomorrow; however, some
clouds in the north.
Cascades: Mostly sunny and very warm
today. Mainly clear tonight.
Northern California: Mostly sunny today.
Hot in central parts; pleasant at the coast.
Today
Wednesday
WSW 4-8
WNW 6-12
WSW 7-14
W 7-14
UV INDEX TODAY
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
1
SALEM (AP) — A
motorcyclist struck and
killed a black bear that
wandered into his lane of
travel in Oregon.
The Marion County
Sheriff’s Office said
Sunday night that the man
was flown to a hospital for
treatment of his injuries.
The black bear died at
the scene and was taken
care of by Forest Service
employees.
The authorities say the
collision is a reminder to
be careful when driving in
rural areas.
COMMERCIAL PRINTING
Production Manager: Mike Jensen
541-215-0824 • mjensen@eastoregonian.com
SATURDAY
Sizzling sunshine
and very hot
Motorcyclist
strikes black bear
in Marion County
Corrections
Copyright © 2017, EO Media Group
Forecast
PORTLAND (AP) — A
federal judge sentenced
a North Carolina man on
Monday to two years on
probation for his role in
last year’s takeover of a
national wildlife refuge in
Oregon.
U.S. District Judge
Robert Jones also ordered
Jason Blomgren to pay
$3,000 restitution. The
judge, however, expressed
doubt that Blomgren —
with $3.83 to his name
— would be able to pay.
“You’re about as broke
as anyone I’ve seen,” Jones
said at the hearing.
Blomgren traveled to
southeastern Oregon in
January 2016 to perform
guard duty during the
occupation of the Malheur
National Wildlife Refuge.
He pleaded guilty to
conspiracy months before
the autumn 2016 trial in
which occupation leader
Ammon Bundy and six
others were acquitted.
Assistant U.S. Attorney
Craig Gabriel described
Blomgren on Monday as a
minor player in the 41-day
occupation to protest
federal land use policies.
He said Blomgren arrived
after it began and spent 15
days on the refuge.
The East Oregonian works hard to be accurate and
sincerely regrets any errors. If you notice a mistake in
the paper, please call 541-966-0818.
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Refuge occupier
sentenced to
probation
3
5
5
3
1
8 a.m. 10 a.m. Noon 2 p.m. 4 p.m. 6 p.m.
0-2, Low
3-5, Moderate 6-7, High;
8-10, Very High;
11+, Extreme
The higher the AccuWeather.com UV Index™ num-
ber, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.
Forecasts and graphics provided by
AccuWeather, Inc. ©2017
Shown are noon positions of weather systems and precipitation. Temperature bands are highs for the day.
-10s
-0s
showers t-storms
0s
10s
rain
20s
flurries
30s
40s
snow
ice
50s
60s
cold front
70s
80s
90s
100s
warm front stationary front
110s
high
low
National Summary: Harvey will bring more rain and flooding to Texas and Louisiana today.
Another tropical system will bring rain, gusty winds and rough surf to the East coast.
Storms will dot the Midwest. The West will be hot.
Yesterday’s National Extremes: (for the 48 contiguous states)
High 115° in Palm Springs, Calif.
Low 32° in West Yellowstone, Mont.
NATIONAL CITIES
Today
Albuquerque
Atlanta
Atlantic City
Baltimore
Billings
Birmingham
Boise
Boston
Charleston, SC
Charleston, WV
Chicago
Cleveland
Dallas
Denver
Detroit
El Paso
Fairbanks
Fargo
Honolulu
Houston
Indianapolis
Jacksonville
Kansas City
Las Vegas
Little Rock
Los Angeles
Hi
87
85
72
68
93
84
100
68
81
81
77
76
86
92
73
89
58
86
87
74
79
90
78
109
84
100
Lo
64
70
63
59
63
69
71
59
68
61
61
60
70
61
61
65
48
59
74
72
63
73
60
85
69
75
W
t
pc
r
r
pc
c
s
pc
pc
c
sh
t
pc
s
r
s
r
s
pc
r
t
pc
s
s
c
s
Wed.
Hi
88
76
76
77
95
76
95
69
85
82
80
80
86
91
80
91
65
81
88
79
82
89
82
108
79
98
Lo
63
69
65
62
65
71
65
58
72
63
63
62
72
60
62
66
45
56
75
73
64
74
61
85
70
74
W
t
sh
pc
pc
s
r
pc
r
pc
pc
pc
pc
c
pc
pc
s
pc
s
s
r
pc
t
s
pc
sh
s
Today
Hi
Louisville
82
Memphis
86
Miami
92
Milwaukee
73
Minneapolis
78
Nashville
87
New Orleans
83
New York City
70
Oklahoma City
83
Omaha
80
Philadelphia
70
Phoenix
110
Portland, ME
71
Providence
71
Raleigh
74
Rapid City
92
Reno
97
Sacramento
98
St. Louis
82
Salt Lake City
98
San Diego
90
San Francisco
71
Seattle
85
Tucson
102
Washington, DC 70
Wichita
84
Lo
67
70
79
61
62
69
76
59
60
59
60
87
51
58
62
58
65
62
64
70
73
58
58
77
63
60
W
t
pc
pc
pc
s
pc
r
c
s
s
r
s
pc
pc
r
s
s
s
pc
s
pc
s
s
pc
r
s
Wed.
Hi
85
80
92
78
81
79
86
77
84
84
76
110
71
72
84
90
94
97
84
95
86
72
75
101
78
85
Lo
69
72
80
63
60
68
77
66
64
60
64
85
53
56
69
59
62
60
67
70
72
57
59
74
67
61
Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain,
sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice.
W
pc
r
sh
pc
t
t
r
pc
s
s
pc
s
c
r
pc
pc
pc
s
pc
t
s
s
pc
t
pc
s