05/30/05 No to bio-op again; Hot negate rain?

The federal government is trying to determine its next steps after a U.S. District Court Judge in Oregon ruled that N.O.A.A. Fisheries' biological opinion on fish recovery on the Columbia and Lower Snake Rivers violates the federal Endangered Species Act. But the ruling by Judge James Redden should come as no surprise. He also sided with environmental and tribal groups two years ago when he ruled the Bush Administration's original Bio-Op in year 2000 was illegal because the federal government could not guarantee that habitat enhancements and upgrades to hatchery and dam operations would occur. This modified bio-op included plans to enhance dams to improve fish recovery, saying the dams would provide no-jeopardy to fish survival. It has been wonderful weather to enjoy Memorial Day weekend, hasn't it? Very summer like indeed in much of the Northwest. But might the near to above record high temperatures of the last few days negate any gains made in the last month and a half to prevent extreme drought like conditions in much of the region? Thanks to the passing storms and heavy rainfall of April and May in many parts of our area, the projections for summer drought has gone from extreme classification to between moderate and severe. Weather officials say the outlook for June through August will be for above average temperatures but normal perhaps above normal rainfall. And what that means is unusually low stream flow levels will remain that way throughout the summer, as despite any increase in rains, much of the Northwest snow pack has melted off. Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Susan Allen. ALLEN: When it comes to American agriculture I admit to being a bit of a pessimist, given the flood of imports into the market. So imagine my delight when I uncovered an encouraging little ditty from one of my favorite marketing gurus, Mr. Roy Williams. He recently made the comment that if natural resources determined the wealth of nations then Brazil would be the richest country on earth and Japan would be the poorest". Brazil's capacity to undercut the American farmers' costs of growing meat and produce is intimidating. But Mr. Williams isn't one to be daunted. He believes Americans will simply excel at selling our products, because we are the world's best advertisers. Getting people to buy more stuff, whether it be IPODS or American beef generates national prosperity, and the worlds best ad agencies, American couple that with desire and confidence to sell more product. I'm Susan Allen and this is Food Forethought.