Endangered Species Act

Water moves through a spillway of the Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River near Almota, Wash., on April 11, 2018.

Leaked document says US is willing to replace the power generated by Snake River dams

The Associated Press

In a strong sign that the U.S. will consider breaching four controversial dams on the Snake River, a leaked Biden administration document says the government is prepared to help build clean energy projects to replace the power generated by the dams.

FILE - A bald eagle flies over a partially frozen Des Moines River, Dec. 21, 2022, in Des Moines, Iowa. Fifty years after the Endangered Species Act took effect, environmental advocates and scientists say the law is as essential as ever. Habitat loss, pollution, climate change and disease are putting an estimated 1 million species worldwide at risk. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

Environment

After helping prevent extinctions for 50 years, the Endangered Species Act itself may be in peril

The Associated Press

Fifty years after the U.S. Endangered Species Act took effect, officials say 99% of the animals and plants it protects have survived. But some scientists and activists fear the act itself is in trouble.

A orange sea star with almost two dozen legs and a round body next to a darker purple sea star in a tide pool.

Environment

Scientists call for action to help sunflower sea stars

The Associated Press

Scientists along the West Coast are seeking action to help sunflower sea stars recover from catastrophic population declines. The National Marine Fisheries Service is expected to announce by early next year whether the species should be listed under the Endangered Species Act.

Boaters eager to see wildlife trap a local orca as it forages in the nearshore zone of a beach on Vashon Island. The photographer on the beach is Tisa Annette, founder of a Facebook group called Puget Sound Orcas. She and her followers aim to educate others on whale wise behavior. They want to help prevent endangered southern resident orcas from going extinct.

Environment

Eager to see wildlife, boaters push boundaries with Puget Sound orcas

Bellamy Pailthorp

As boating season heats up, so do encounters with marine wildlife. Concerned citizens aim to educate others on whale wise behavior. State wildlife officials appreciate the help with their force spread thin and different enforcement protocols for the endangered southern resident orcas and transient, or Bigg's, killer whales.

The Electron Dam, shown here in 2009, became notorious in August 2020, after a whistleblower revealed how operators tried to line the riverbed with highly toxic Astroturf.

Environment

Electron Dam owners settle with conservation groups, Puyallup Tribe case pending

Bellamy Pailthorp

The owners of the Electron Dam on the Puyallup River reached a settlement with conservation groups that prevents the project from re-starting unless or until they have addressed impacts on endangered fish.

AstroTurf seen in the Puyallup River during work done in late July 2020 by Electron Hydro.

Environment

Federal court: Puyallup River dam needs permits under Endangered Species Act before it can restart

Bellamy Pailthorp

In another blow to the operators of the Electron Dam on the Puyallup River, a judge in federal District Court has barred its parent company from diverting…

Environment

Federal effort would list Mount Rainier white-tailed ptarmigan as threatened species

Bellamy Pailthorp

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is proposing new protections for the Mount Rainier white-tailed ptarmigan. If approved, the Endangered Species Act would…

This June 2019 photo shows the first batch of bioengineered Atlantic salmon eggs in an incubation tray at AquaBounty Technologies' facility in Albany, Ind.

Environment

Federal judge rules FDA violated environmental laws with approval of genetically engineered salmon

Bellamy Pailthorp

A federal judge has ruled that production of the world’s first genetically engineered salmon was allowed to go ahead without the required evaluation of…

Environment

Local Zoos Gathering Thousands Of Signatures In Defense Of U.S. Endangered Species Act

Bellamy Pailthorp

Monday is the deadline for comments on proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act. Conservation advocates gathered Wednesday at Seattle’s Woodland…

Environment

Feds Seeking Endangered Species Protection For Rare Island Marble Butterfly

Bellamy Pailthorp

Federal wildlife officials want to protect a rare green-and-white butterfly that is only found on San Juan Island by listing it as an endangered…