Boise, Idaho • A lawsuit by an Idaho utility against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency concerning water temperature standards below a hydroelectric project where federally protected fall chinook salmon reproduce has been put on hold.
A U.S. District Court judge last week agreed to stay the lawsuit by Idaho Power against the EPA while the federal agency works to complete tasks requested by the state of Idaho in 2012.
"Essentially, this is what we wanted for six years," Idaho Power spokesman Brad Bowlin said Friday. "We're optimistic things are moving in the right direction. This is definitely a good step forward.