PORTLAND, Ore. -- Federal Judge James Redden will hold a status hearing August 21 to hear debate over whether independent scientists should be used in a legal review of the latest government plan to assure that protected Columbia River salmon are not threatened by hydroelectric dams.

AP photo

A school of salmon.

The federal government says federal law requires that the science of the federal fisheries agency, NOAA, get preference.

The State of Oregon, which doesn't like the latest proposal, says use of the independent scientists should at least be discussed.

The group Earthjustice, representing conservationists, had challenged the latest Columbia River plan, or biological opinion. Redden rejected previous proposals made in 2002 and 2004.

It is not clear when Redden might make a final ruling on the third proposal.