For years, migrating Caspian terns from Central America have invaded the lower Columbia River and gobbled up a big chunk of ocean-bound salmon smelt. In fact, in 1999, terns nesting on Rice Island devoured about 11.7 million endangered salmon.

Concerned about the damage to the salmon runs, the Corps of Engineers cleared the brush off of East Sand Island about 20 miles downstream and played recordings of happy terns. It worked. Many of the terns left Rice Island for new digs on East Sand Island.

The move had unexpected benefits for both the birds and the salmon. Because East Sand Island is closer to brackish estuaries where anchovies live, about half of the birds switched from salmon to anchovies. According to Dan Roby, an Oregon State University researcher, breeding terns doubled their crop of new chicks and reduced salmon consumption by half.

Sound like a “win-win?” Not for the National Audubon Society, Defenders of Wildlife, Seattle Audubon Society and the American Bird Conservancy. They sued the Corps and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service a couple of years ago to stop the government’s attempt to move the birds.

They claimed the government was harassing the terns in violation of the Migratory Bird Act and won an injunction from a federal judge.

But the courts couldn’t stop the birds from moving themselves. In effect, the birds turned their backs on the courts, pulled up stakes and moved anyway. It seems the birds had more sense than the people.

Why would groups like the Audubon Society sue in the first place? At first glance, their thinking seems, well, bird-brained. Anchovies are much more plentiful than salmon and aren’t threatened with extinction. And the terns’ “habitat” on Rice Island was artificial to begin with – created by the Corps from dredging waste.

So, why would environmental groups sue to stop the Corps? After all, these same groups want to breach the dams along the Snake and mid-Columbia rivers and curb farming and logging – all to save the salmon. So why would they turn a blind eye to the birds and allow them to gobble up millions of endangered salmon each year?

Good question! But regardless of their reasoning, it doesn’t make sense for the salmon, the powerful icon of the Pacific Northwest.

Thankfully, even the terns had more sense than the federal judge and their advocates. They moved to a new neighborhood, and they like it and the new menu.

So, with all due respect, your honor, “Let ’em eat anchovies!”

Don Brunell is president of the Association Washington Business. You can visit the association online at www.awb.org.