Buffers near salmon streams remain in effect.

Byline: The Register-Guard

A panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday to continue requiring streamside buffers to protect endangered salmon and steelhead against pesticides, until an appeal of the requirement has run its course.

The court case, which has been going on for three years, affects streams in Oregon, Washington and California.

The buffers, put in place by Federal District Court Judge John Coughenour in January, had been challenged by CropLife America and other parties, who sought to scrap the requirement until the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency adopts guidelines to protect endangered species from pesticides.

Besides denying CropLife's request, the appeals court set a schedule for continuation of the court case. Briefs will be due in July and August, and the case will be considered by the 9th Circuit the week of Sept. 13.