S.O.S.

A federal judge has placed science over politics in striking down a Bush Administration decision to count hatchery-raised fish along with wild stocks in determining endangered species protection.

The ruling is important because scientists believe that hatchery fish can actually damage native stocks. By ruling that they are actually different, protections for endangered wild stocks can remain in place or be restored.

The Upper Columbia Steelhead will be raised from threatened to endangered due to this ruling.