05/26/06 Trying to digest a federal court ruling

The Idaho Congressional delegation says it's dismayed but not surprised by a federal court ruling that puts southern Idaho reservoirs at risk for the benefit of endangered salmon. US District Judge James Redden said that federal agencies have to include the impacts of a dozen upper Snake River projects when studying salmon recovery on the lower Snake and Columbia Rivers. Congressman Butch Otter, who is running for governor says that decision impacts hydroelectric dams and the reservoirs that hold water for southern and eastern Idaho irrigators. OTTER "That really jeopardizes our ability to manage our own water and anything that jeopardizes our ability to manage our own water jeopardizes our future." So what does happen next? Will more Idaho water be taken for salmon? What about the Nez Perce agreement? It says something different than Redden says. Most of the people involved in the case say it's a wait and see game now. Groups like Idaho Rivers United believe Redden's decision could put more pressure on the government to remove the four dams on the lower Snake River in eastern Washington. One thing is almost certain; there are more court battles to come. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott