09/30/05 Salmon court case; wheat merger

09/30/05 Salmon court case; wheat merger

US District Court Judge James Redden will hear arguments today about the future of salmon in the Columbia River system. In May Redden said that Bush administration's plans for managing fish and water wasn't working and he ordered more water spilled at the dams to aid salmon migration. Idaho farmers are following this case because it is expected that salmon advocates will seek a similar ruling for the Snake, Boise and Payette Rivers. All of this court activity will certainly be the topic of discussion next week at a two day workshop in Boise. Practical Paths to Salmon Recovery Two is a follow up to a similar conference held five years ago and will look at what's happened between now and then. Another vote is coming in the next couple of days on a proposal to merge the three national wheat organizations. Idaho Grain Producers Association voted last week to support the merger between US Wheat Associates, the National Association of Wheat Growers and the Wheat Export Trade Education Committee if certain conditions are met. They are mainly centered on timing for appointing the new Board of Directors and CEO of USW. North Dakota, Oklahoma and Montana wheat commissions previously nixed the merger but they now say a new compromise has their blessing. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott
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