06/15/05 Craig blasts salmon ruling by Redden

Idaho Senator Larry Craig doesn't mince words when he talks about a federal judge in Portland who has ruled more water must be spilled over eight Snake and Columbia River dams to aid salmon recovery. CRAIG "I see that Judge Redden is being more of the politician than the judge. Obviously an unelected official who is untouchable so he can play with his environmental whims where he chooses." Craig says there has been, in his words 'phenomenal progress' in river management, its improvement of habitat and fish recovery. Craig says that if US District Court Judge James Redden's decision stands spilled water will end up costing all of the electric ratepayers in the Northwest 67 billion dollars annually. CRAIG "That's better than million dollars a day. There's a price tag to all of this that I do not think Idaho and Pacific Northwest consumers are going to be willing to pay. I'm not willing to let an unelected official to force this kind of game plan on the consumers and the river itself." Craig says his environmental critics are wrong to accuse him of 'fear mongering.' Like some of his colleagues Craig wants Congress to provide more oversight and more checks on the courts. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott