In the state of Washington, 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals delivered what some are calling the "most important ruling on treaty fishing rights since 1974."
“[T]he 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has decided the state [of Washington] must do more toward fixing its hundreds of culverts,” reports Daniel Jack Chasan.
“The court affirmed a lower court decision ordering the state to replace its worst salmon-killing culverts that block passage upstream for the fish. A unanimous three-judge panel held that the culverts violate federal treaties signed with Washington tribes,” adds Chasan.
The court decided the state had drastically overstated the estimated cost of replacing the culverts—at $1.9 billion. Chasan also notes that the case has legal underpinnings that go back over a century. The decision could also impact the future of four lower Snake River Dams.
FULL STORY: License to kill: How Washington may lose its right to wipe out salmon
Court Decision Makes it Final: Washington State Owes $2 Billion for Culvert Repairs
When it refused to reconsider a 2016 ruling that mandated the state of Washington to broken culverts around the state, the 9th U.S. Circuit of Appeals put to rest a legal controversy ongoing since 2001.
Alaskans to Choose Between Salmon Habitat Protections and Resource Extraction
A contentious initiative on the Alaska ballot next month pits protecting salmon habitat protections against the interests of the oil and gas industry and mining companies.
Blocked Culverts Continue to Plague Washington Salmon Habitat
Ineffective, blocked, obsolete, and in disrepair—Washington is full of culverts that pose an impediment to the survival of salmon. A court decision should have fixed the problem, but the state's budget has a long way to go to clean up the mess.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
Fair Housing Cannot Take a Back Seat to ‘Build, Baby, Build’
If we overlook fair housing principles in the plan to build US housing back better, we risk ending up right back where we started.
LA Metro Board Approves New 710 Freeway Plan
The newest plan for the 710 corridor claims it will not displace any residents.
Austin’s Proposed EV Charging Rules Regulate Station Locations, Size
City planners say the new rules would ensure an efficient distribution of charging infrastructure across the city and prevent an overconcentration in residential areas.
Making California State Parks More Climate-Resilient
A recently released report offers recommendations for keeping state parks healthy and robust, including acquiring additional land for conservation and recreation.
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Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
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HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
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ULI Northwest Arkansas
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