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Washington, D.C., Jul 11 - Language authored by Congressman Doc Hastings to direct federal agencies to protect Northwest salmon from predatory birds on the Columbia River passed the House of Representatives as a part of the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill last night by a vote of 277 to 198.

“Predatory birds pose a real danger to fish recovery efforts on the Columbia River. Each year, Northwest residents pay nearly one billion dollars to protect endangered salmon, only for them to be consumed by predatory birds. Federal agencies should be making it a priority to take immediate action to address this ongoing problem,” said Hastings. “I’m pleased that the House acted to address this threat to these endangered fish.”

Hastings’ language, included in the report accompanying H.R. 2609, directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide a written report to the House Appropriations Committee no later than 60 days after enactment of this bill on actions that have been taken, what progress has been made to date, and what further actions are planned to address the threat to endangered salmon species.

A report released by Oregon State University and the U.S. Geological Survey in 2011 concluded that Caspian Terns nesting at Goose Island in Potholes Reservoir, as well as other predatory birds in the region including cormorants and gulls, consume as much as 15 percent of migrating endangered upper Columbia River steelhead smolts.

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