SEATTLE (AP) — Conservationists and fishermen say the state's decision not to allow more water to spill over dams along the Columbia and Snake Rivers will hurt salmon survival.
The state Department of Ecology on Friday denied a petition by Earthjustice, the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations and Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association to change the spill standard.
The groups say increasing water releases over the dams rather than running it through turbines improves salmon's chances of surviving their migration.
Ecology denied the request, citing concerns about possible harm to other aquatic life if water standards are changed.
