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GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) - The federal government has cut back the critical habitat for 19 species of threatened and endangered Pacific salmon, arguing that an earlier designation demanded by environmentalists was poorly executed and that voluntary habitat improvements will work better.
The move announced Friday reduces the miles of protected river in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California by 80 percent — from 167,700 miles to 33,300.
In those areas, activities such as logging, construction and livestock grazing is restricted to avoid disturbing the stream beds where the salmon migrate and spawn.
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