Local tribes celebrate court victory against federal water agencies

SAN FRANCISCO, CA. (KIEM) – Local tribes are celebrating a court victory against federal water agencies.

Hoopa and Yurok tribal citizens took on the lawsuit against the Bureau of Reclamation, which operates the Klamath Irrigation District, as well as the National Marine Fisheries Service.

They argued that these agencies were failing to release proper flows into the Klamath and Trinity River, and in doing so, negatively impacting already threatened salmon.

The Hoopa Tribe shared on Monday the court’s decision for the agencies to comply.

The tribes hope that these steps will help rebuild a healthy ecosystem for the native species.

“While all of the parties present important equitable, I issued the injunctions because the law demands that endangered species are entitled to primary protection,” said United States District Judge, William Orrick.