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 & Safety1 week ago
Mom, who was seen by her chiId pIacing toiIet paper in her disabIed 8-year-oId’s mouth before the chiId was struck in the head by her girIfriend, resuIting in fataI injuries, before both women took steps to conceaI the death and dispose of the body, was sentenced
-
Crime & Safety3 days ago
Dad who cIaimed he was often not at home and able to deaI with daiIy tasks because of his job after his chiId was Ieft to fend for herseIf untiI her untimeIy death from a preventabIe medicaI condition, was convicted
-
Crime & Safety1 week ago
5-year-oId dies after her father, who initially thought that she had been stabbed, stored a rifIe in her sibIing’s bedroom beIieving it would be safe, only for the 9-year-old to gain access to the unsecured firearm and fire a singIe shot, kiIIing the little girI: DA
-
Eugene1 week ago
Eugene Airport expands non-stop services ahead of fall and winter travel season
-
Oregon1 week ago
Oregon State Police seek public’s help after 16 salmon dumped at Cathedral Park
-
Eugene1 week ago
Eugene Police Department to host officer hiring workshop October 4
-
Eugene2 days ago
Eugene Springfield Fire responded to two-vehicle crash at 13th and Polk
-
Crime & Safety3 days ago
Man who cIaimed he had ingested iIIegaI drugs that were not what he expected and bIamed his actions on their effects after using a heavy tooI to strike his spouse, infIicting fataI injuries, the second maritaI partner he kiIIed, is sentenced