Judge:  Endangered Species Act Preempts Oregon Order For Federal Water Releases

Mealey's ( February 7, 2023, 1:29 PM EST) -- SAN FRANCISCO — A California federal judge on Feb. 6 ruled that the Endangered Species Act (ESA) preempts an order by the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) that prohibited the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation from releasing water from the Upper Klamath Lake to preserve downstream endangered fish species during drought conditions....