Four conservation and fishing groups have sent a formal notice to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers alleging that dams on the Lower Snake River violate the Endangered Species Act by creating hot water conditions that kill and injure Endangered Snake River sockeye salmon.  The groups say they intend to seek all relief necessary to eliminate the heat pollution created by the four Lower Snake River dams, up to and including dam removal.  Columbia Riverkeeper, Idaho Rivers United, Idaho Conservation League, and the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association say they do continue to support ongoing efforts to replace the Lower Snake River dams’ transportation, irrigation, and energy services.  The groups claim un-damming the Lower Snake in order to cool the river and allow salmon to survive is a natural complement to those broader efforts.  Columbia Riverkeeper Legal Director Miles Johnson believes without profound improvements, such as Snake River dam removal, hot water created by the dams and climate change will lead to the extinction of Snake River sockeye.  He thinks the Endangered Species Act gives courts the authority to prevent extinction.