We have a rare opportunity to stop extinction.

 

Photo by Greg Stahl

We’re facing a crisis: salmon and steelhead, along with the orcas that eat them, are on the verge of extinction. If we don’t act immediately, these iconic species—anchors of ecosystems, cultures, and economies that cannot be replaced—will disappear forever.

But we have a solution.

Remove four dams on the lower Snake River—and replace the services they provide.

The lower Snake River dams have been driving salmon toward extinction for decades, killing fish on their migrations to and from the Pacific. Dams also raise water temperatures above lethal levels, suffocating salmon and steelhead in what should be cold water. Now with climate change, the situation is even more dire.

Across the country, from Washington to Maine, dam removal has been proven to save species, restore habitat, and build communities. We must remove the lower Snake River dams and support communities instead with clean, renewable energy from new wind, solar, battery storage, efficiency, smart grid technologies, and other sources.

This is about justice. The federal government must live up to the treaties and other commitments made to tribes.

Salmon are the heart of Northwest tribes’ cultures, diets, and economies—as they have been for millenia. The United States promised these tribes access to abundant salmon in treaties and other legally-binding commitments. By driving salmon to extinction, we’re violating our word.

This is a moral and legal imperative. The federal government must honor commitments to tribes by removing the four lower Snake River dams.

We can create a prosperous Northwest economy, fortified by thriving salmon and steelhead.

Fishing is a multibillion-dollar industry in the Northwest—and it’s at risk. Salmon and steelhead sustain families all across our region. Commercial fishers, recreational guides and outfitters, tourism and hospitality providers, and their communities all rely on consistently healthy fish runs. By bringing salmon back to abundance, we can invigorate the entire Northwest region’s economy.

We can lead the largest salmon recovery and river restoration in history—if leaders act now.

We have a limited window for leaders in Congress, the states, and the Biden Administration to authorize dam removal and replace the services dams provide.

Tell them to support this critical work to prevent salmon extinction.

  1. Washington’s Senator Patty Murray and Governor Jay Inslee must create an actionable plan by July 2022 for removing the dams and replacing their services. Washington, Idaho, and Oregon electeds must engage with Senator Murray to support and build on their plan.

  2. We’re calling on leaders in Congress, the states, and the Biden Administration to act immediately to authorize removal of the four lower Snake River dams and make smart investments in clean energy to replace the services they provide.