Federal lawmakers are considering whether to expand the government’s authority to kill more sea lions and seals to bolster salmon recovery efforts in the Pacific Northwest. The region’s critical salmon runs are on life support: Fourteen species and populations of salmon and steelhead trout in Washington are deemed at risk of extinction under the Endangered Species Act. … Rep. Jared Huffman, the top Democrat on the House Committee on Natural Resources who represents one of California’s northernmost districts bordering Oregon, said the bill “goes too far” in greenlighting pinniped killings without adequate safeguards. 

Other salmon news:

• Chico Enterprise-Record (Calif.): DWR to start gravel project for Feather River salmon
• The Union (Grass Valley, Calif.): Column: Valley salmon season opens