Associated Press - November 21, 2009 12:04 PM ET

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A federal judge in Portland is getting ready to decide whether the federal government's latest plan to save imperiled fish species in the Columbia River should be tossed back.

Judge James Redden has twice before rejected plans to manage the river system and its dams to restore fish protected by the Endangered Species Act.

On Monday, he's scheduled to hear the newest plan, the first from the Obama administration.

Jane Lubchenco, a former Oregon State marine ecologist, is now head of the federal fisheries agency.

She took a hand in preparing the plan and is expected in the courtroom for the hearing.

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