A federal court has moved to dismiss a lawsuit brought by environmental groups against the Eugene Water & Electric Board.
In the lawsuit, environmental groups argued EWEB’s operation of a hydroelectric project threatens the Upper Willamette River chinook salmon and bull trout. According to the groups, the project’s “trap and haul” operations put the fish in harm's way.
EWEB said they follow environmental protocol laid out by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which licenses power infrastructure like dams, powerhouses, and reservoirs.
On Aug. 8, the U.S. District Court of Oregon dismissed the case due to a lack of jurisdiction. According to the judge, EWEB is already actively working with the federal commission to ensure fish safety.
Aaron Orlowski, an EWEB spokesperson, said the