A couple of press articles recently came out claiming that salmon and steelhead returns in the Columbia Basin have held steady over the past 10 years.  Both stories acknowledge that returns are far lower than historical numbers but state they are an improvement from the 1990s.  The data is from the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, a group that works with the Bonneville Power Administration to “ensure, with public participation, an affordable and reliable energy system while enhancing fish and wildlife in the Columbia River Basin.”  Of course, federal courts have ruled repeatedly that the BPA is not doing enough to recover wild fish and is primarily focused on the delivery of power.  

Oregon Public Broadcasting reprinted a misleading story from Boise State Public Radio that contained none of the details that would adequately inform a reader.  Capital Press had an article, carried by the Bend Bulletin, that was much better.  This article pointed out that most of the fish being counted are hatchery fish. Unfortunately, even the Capital Press article did not state that wild fish counts continue to decline and the scientific consensus is that without major changes to dams and their operation some runs are in danger of extinction.  Increasing hatchery production is not the way to save wild fish.