Tag – Fish-and-wildlife

On June 16, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the final 2026 Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Program. This article offers a detailed look at some of the 2026 Program’s major priorities and themes.

Long-term, consistent operations that will support juvenile migration in spring and summer and keep water temperatures cooler in the Columbia and Snake Rivers are included in a new draft of the Council’s Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program. Other top priorities include maintaining critical assets like hatcheries and fish screens and continuing to invest in habitat restoration projects.

Slow growth, invasive species, and passage concerns are likely contributing to the decline in abundance of white sturgeon between Hells Canyon and Lower Granite dams. 

Over the next two months, Council Power Division staff will be analyzing a set of hydro operations for the upcoming processes of amending the Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Program and preparing to develop the cost-effective resource strategy for the Ninth Power Plan.

At July’s Council meeting, Power Planning Director Jennifer Light explained the upcoming process for developing the Ninth Power Plan this summer and fall, as well as the early portion of 2026. The Council is also in the process of amending its Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Program with the goal of having a draft ready this fall and a final verison adopted in spring 2026.