The decision to terminate the historic Columbia River Basin agreement represents a profound injustice and a catastrophic setback for salmon recovery efforts. This accord took years to negotiate and was hailed as an unprecedented commitment to upholding treaty rights and restoring abundant salmon runs decimated by federal dams. Pulling out of this deal continues a shameful pattern of the government breaking its promises to Native tribes.
Canceling the agreement jeopardizes vital hatchery improvements desperately needed to boost plummeting salmon numbers. With hatcheries struggling to collect enough fish for breeding, future fishing seasons and the region's seafood competitiveness are put at grave risk. Revoking promised funds for upgrading antiquated hatchery facilities essentially guarantees more preventable fish deaths. Moreover, abandoning the commitment to help tribes develop renewable energy sources to replace hydroelectric dam power eliminates a critical path forward.
The Biden administration's pledge to seriously consider dam removal enabled an urgently needed energy transition plan. Scrapping this analysis effectively blocks any meaningful salmon recovery solution. The justification of "prioritizing energy infrastructure over speculative climate change concerns" is appallingly misguided. The dire impacts on salmon are neither hypothetical nor ambiguous - extinction is already unfolding as we speak. Killing this agreement forsakes treaty obligations, undermines environmental justice, and impedes the path to a sustainable future for all.
I implore you to take decisive action condemning this reckless decision and doing everything in your power to uphold the federal government's responsibility to Native American tribes and environmental preservation. Substantive coral and political courage are urgently needed to undo this travesty and chart a new course honoring treaty rights while confronting climate realities. The cultural, ecological and economic costs of inaction are simply unacceptable.
First sent on June 16 by Coleman
