Debate heats up over water temperature rules for dams

0 Comments | Register-Guard (Eugene, OR), October, 2003

Byline: Scott Maben The Register-Guard

Eleven federal dams within 40 miles of Eugene might be able to evade stricter water quality rules intended to aid the recovery of salmon, steelhead and bull trout in Oregon.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which operates the dams, would be able to petition to ease off from new water temperature standards proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Environmental groups say the provision foreshadows a broader attempt by the Bush administration to undermine the Clean Water Act nationwide by exempting federal dams and other entities from water quality standards.

"It gives us insight into what's going to come nationally," said Nina Bell, executive director of Northwest Environmental Advocates...