(Washington, D.C.)  Congresswoman Cathy McMorris (R-WA) made the following statement today in response to Judge Redden’s ruling. If the decision stands, it would cost rate payers in the Northwest $67 million without guaranteeing any fish will be saved. The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) estimates that rates would increase by 4 to 5 percent.

“This is the wrong decision that ignores the progress we have made in fish recovery. This ruling will cost jobs, stifle our economy and send a $67 million bill to rate payers throughout the Northwest. We wouldn’t let a judge dictate how we use our federal highway system and we shouldn’t let one tell us how to use our river systems.

I hope that the federal agencies will challenge this ruling and that the Northwest delegation will come together to get these decisions out of the courts and back to the local communities.”

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, from 2000 to 2004, the number of all listed stocks in the Snake River increased. Last fall, almost 15,000 Snake River fall Chinook returned past the dams – over 300% more than the 3,600 that returned in 2000. Last year, for the fourth straight year, the number of Upper Columbia Steelhead that returned has been more than double the 7,796 that returned in 2000.

McMorris joined with other Northwest Members in sending a letter to the Administration asking that the Redden decision be appealed. McMorris is a member of the House Resources Committee.