Oregon
Fishing, environmental groups sue over Umpqua River dam
A coalition of environmental and fishing groups are suing a water district in southern Oregon over an aging, privately owned dam that they say hinders the passage of struggling salmon populations in the pristine North Umpqua River.
The lawsuit, filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Eugene, asks a judge to order the Winchester Water Control District to build a new fish ladder and make major repairs to Winchester Dam, which dates to 1890 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The dam is also one of the oldest in Oregon.
The aging fish ladder on the 130-year-old dam blocks the progress of migrating Oregon Coast Coho salmon — a federally protected species — as well as spring and fall chinook, summer and winter steelhead, cutthroat trout and Pacific Lamprey, according to the lawsuit. There’s also no record that the water district has rights to hold and store water behind the dam under state law, the lawsuit said.
Dominic M. Carollo, the water district’s attorney, did not return a call for comment Tuesday.
The North Umpqua River is pristine fish habitat and is cherished by environmentalists and anglers alike, said Jim McCarthy, with WaterWatch of Oregon, one of the plaintiffs.
The 167 miles (268 kilometers) of river above the dam are some of the highest-quality fish habitat in the state, he said, and are a key part of the coastal fishing industry.
-
Crime & Safety5 days ago
Mother refused to call 911, claiming her child was overreacting, even after the victim’s younger sibling tried sprinkling water in her eyes and cared for her all day until she died from an untreated medicaI condition; charged
-
Crime & Safety4 days ago
Teacher was messaged by her student, with whom she had a months-long iIIicit relationship, only for her to later admit to abusing her position of trust and getting involved in an inappropriate relationship with the boy after she was arrested by waiting police
-
Crime & Safety1 week ago
Dad says that after his child was found dead, he heard from other students that his son’s classmates had buIIied him for having no mother and being homeIess, until the boy took his own life
-
Crime & Safety3 days ago
Law enforcement officer was assigned to go and check the condition of several animals, only to then claim that he was cleared by his supervisor to put down the pets safely before killing almost all of them; charged
-
Crime & Safety1 week ago
Woman claims she refused to get the COVlD shot because she believed the vaccines were tested or developed using fetaI cells obtained from abortions, which led to her losing her job even after she filed for a reIigious exemption; Iawsuit
-
Eugene6 days ago
Eugene Police Department hosted Leadership Eugene-Springfield at its 2nd and Chambers location
-
Eugene6 days ago
City officials announced the schedule for November 2024 meetings, work sessions, and topics
-
Eugene6 days ago
ESF crews responded to structure fire on Jacobs Lane after reports of smoke potentially coming from the kitchen area