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Sign the Petition urging Members of Congress to oppose legislation that harms endangered salmon in the Columbia Basin!
Dear Northwest Members of Congress,
The Columbia and Snake Rivers used to form one of the world’s most productive salmon river systems. These salmon are a keystone species, meaning the health of the entire ecosystem, from orcas to forests, depends on their survival. They are also vital to the culture, identity, and livelihood of Tribal nations, who secured their fishing rights through treaties that are the supreme law of the land. Commercial and recreational fishing communities also rely heavily on Columbia/Snake River salmon for their livelihood. As youth of the Pacific Northwest, we want to see a future with abundant salmon.
Today, the greatest threat to salmon survival in the Columbia-Snake River system is dams. The most damaging of these are the four federal dams on the lower Snake River. Tens of billions of dollars have been spent on Snake and Columbia River salmon recovery, yet the scientific consensus remains clear: the only effective path to salmon recovery is through breaching the lower Snake River dams. A recent report done by NOAA echoed this consensus, calling breaching "essential" and a "centerpiece action" for salmon recovery on the Snake River.
Maintaining these aging dams has become increasingly expensive, with ratepayers footing the bill. An ECONorthwest study found that the economic benefits of breaching the dams would far outweigh the costs and that any individuals or industries impacted by removal could be fully compensated. Furthermore, many of the services provided by the dams can be replaced with modern, more sustainable solutions. These dams produce surplus power that, according to the Northwest Energy Coalition’s Power Replacement Study, can be replaced with wind, solar, and improved energy storage. Barging can be replaced by improved rail infrastructure, we can generate electricity from other sources, and irrigation can continue while drawing from a free flowing river. But the Snake River, for salmon, is irreplaceable.
Despite the overwhelming evidence, some members of Congress continue to obstruct progress. The latest example is HR 626/S, a bill introduced by Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-4) and Sen. Jim Risch (ID). This bill aims to prevent the study and implementation of dam breaching by locking in the 2020 EIS and the ineffective, illegal dam operation plan that came with it. One must ask: why are these members of congress so afraid of a full, honest examination of the facts?
The stakes could not be higher. A 2021 report from the Nez Perce Tribe states that 42% of spring and summer Chinook populations on the Snake River have already reached the threshold for quasi-extinction. Southern Resident orcas, which depend on Snake River Chinook, are nearing extinction as well.
As youth of the Pacific Northwest, we will see the consequences of decisions our leaders make today. Either we will see a future with abundant salmon and thriving communities, or we will be faced with the unacceptable outcome of salmon extinction. We are running out of time. We urge you to oppose this disastrous bill at every opportunity and to support the continued implementation of the Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative (CBRI) and the Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement (RCBA). The future of Snake River salmon and everyone that depends on them is at stake.
Sincerely,
[your name here]
NextGen Salmon Collective, is a student-led program of SOS, is a space for young advocates to harness their advocacy through education, skills, and community with the goal of restoring healthy and abundant salmon in the Columbia-Snake River Basin. Our mission is to foster meaningful connections, provide educational resources, facilitate mentorship, and offer logistical support for youth-led initiatives. By empowering the next generation of environmental leaders, we aim to expand and fortify the network of youth advocates across the Northwest and amplify their voices. The next generation of environmental stewards is among us, and we hope they choose to safeguard the future of Columbia River Basin salmon and all the species that depend on them.
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