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Ecologists say unrestricted pumping will harm fish PDF Print E-mail
Written by Associated Press   
Monday, 08 February 2010 14:39

Salmon(AP) — Environmentalists say a federal judge's order to temporarily allow unrestricted pumping in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta threatens to push endangered salmon into extinction.

Last week's decision by U.S. District Court Judge Oliver Wanger freed up irrigation supplies for farms hammered by years of drought. Farmers had complained that pumping restrictions in place to protect winter-run Chinook salmon worsened their situation.

Some of the country's largest growers pressed for the restrictions to be lifted to nurture their fields and orchards.

But the Natural Resources Defense Council and Earthjustice argue that the limits are necessary to help keep West Coast fishermen in business and protect their dwindling catch.

Wanger will hear their motion in his Fresno courtroom Tuesday.