The federal district court for the District of Oregon found violations of the Endangered Species Act in the federal review of releases of hatchery-raised summer steelhead into the Upper Willamette River by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The plaintiffs alleged that the releases would jeopardize winter steelhead. The plaintiffs’ arguments included that the biological opinion for the hatchery management plan failed to evaluate how the impacts from climate change would affect “already depressed winter steelhead populations in degraded habitat.” The court agreed with the plaintiffs that the biological opinion failed to evaluate “the consequences to winter steelhead of projected worsening conditions” or to assess whether winter steelhead “can sustain impacts from the release of hatchery summer steelhead on top of climate change effects.” The court therefore granted summary judgment to the plaintiffs on this issue.

Challenge to a Hatchery and Genetic Management Plan that involved release of hatchery-raised summer steelhead into the Upper Willamette River.

Willamette Riverkeeper v. National Marine Fisheries Service

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Oregon Federal Court Found Failure to Consider Climate Impacts on Winter Steelhead in Review of Plan for Summer Steelhead Releases

Filed

United States of America

Oregon

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Area of the economy in which actors engage in identical or related activities.

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The management and allocation of funds, assets and investments to meet various objectives

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Actions to reduce emissions in energy generation and supply.

Extreme weather refers to events where a weather variable exceeds (or falls below) a threshold. Meaning it is significantly different from the average or usual weather pattern.

Social inclusion is the process of improving the terms on which individuals and groups take part in society—improving the ability, opportunity, and dignity of those disadvantaged on the basis of their identity.

Fossil gas, commonly known as natural gas, is a fossil fuel consisting chiefly of methane with smaller amounts of other hydrocarbons and trace gases, found in underground deposits.

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This sector includes firms and individuals offering specialised expertise in fields such as law, accounting, consulting, science and engineering.

Activities involving the catching, processing, and selling of fish for food, recreation, and industry.

Climate change can have a range of impacts on technological system. Extreme weather events can cause infrastructure failures like power outages or damage to roads and bridges, as well as the impacts from waste following natural disasters. Human activities also cause technological impacts, such as the risks posed by oil spillage and leaks.

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Oregon Federal Court Found Failure to Consider Climate Impacts on Winter Steelhead in Review of Plan for Summer Steelhead Releases

Risk

Impacted group

Just transition

Fossil fuel

Economic sector

Adaptation/resilience

Finance