A federal judge sided with tribes and environmentalist on Wednesday in blocking the federal government from reducing a water spill that benefits endangered salmon.

The National Marine Fisheries Service proposed to push more water through turbines rather than flush the salmon through a spill, which biologists say can improve fish survival rates. The move would have helped the Bonneville Power Administration financially.

But U.S. District Judge James Redden said the proposal was "arbitrary and capricious." A spokesperson for the Umatilla Tribes said the ruling should encourage cooperation on salmon recovery efforts.

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Court ruling favors fish over more electricity from river dams (The Seattle Times 7/29)