"Judge Orders New Plan for Dam Releases into Grand Canyon"

"DENVER -- Federal officials must reconsider how they release water from Glen Canyon Dam into the Grand Canyon in order to protect an endangered fish, the humpback chub, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.

Environmental groups have long argued that the irregular releases from the dam just above the canyon damage the fish's native environment, erode beaches and wash away ancient ruins in the canyon.

Nikolai Lash of the Grand Canyon Trust, which filed a lawsuit along with Earthjustice, said the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation should release water in regular flows, which would do less damage. 'They're better at preserving the beaches, the archaeological sites and the fish,' he said."

Nicholas Riccardi reports for the Los Angeles Times May 28, 2009.