A coalition of environmental groups sued the Eugene Water and Electric Board this week, accusing the public utility of violating the Endangered Species Act.
The groups allege EWEB never completed fish ladders it committed to build 16 years ago at the Trail Bridge Dam, which is part of the Carmen-Smith Hydroelectric Project.
The groups argued the dam, located about 70 miles east of Eugene on the McKenzie River, has prevented endangered Chinook salmon and bull trout from migrating and blocked access to cold water…