A federal judge has denied a motion for an independent scientific review of a new government plan to protect Columbia River salmon, saying he first wants to determine if the plan is flawed.
U.S. District Judge James A. Redden has turned back two such plans and said he wants to fix this one if he finds it falls short rather than send it back again to be redone. The independent review was sought by the state of Oregon and the National Wildlife Federation, both of whom consider the plan inadequate.
The motion was opposed by the federal government and some states and tribes – Redden did not say when he might rule on the new plan. (AP)