An Unprecedented Opportunity to Revive the Snake River
For decades, our community has been fighting vigorously to breach the Snake River dams and restore what was once one of the greatest steelhead and salmon runs on the planet. In recent years, the movement to “Free the Snake” has gained substantial traction, but limited political leadership has stymied this effort. However, at long last the prospects of freeing the Snake have dramatically improved thanks to Congressman Mike Simpson, who this week released a comprehensive proposal to breach the Snake River dams and restore this iconic watershed.
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Federal Hydropower Plan Once Again Fails Columbia Basin Salmon and Steelhead Recovery
The Wild Steelhead Coalition (WSC) is frustrated by the new Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Columbia Basin Hydropower System, which is simply a reiteration of the five previous federal plans that have all been rejected by the courts as inadequate.
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The Clearwater Closure: A New Direction is Needed for Snake River Steelhead
Near the end of September, the Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) Commission voted to close the season on the Clearwater River and a portion of the Snake River within the state’s border. It is our hope that the closure this Fall is the final alarm call that wakes up the public, fishery managers and the angling community to the desperate situation steelhead, and salmon, face in the Columbia and Snake River systems.
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Washingtonians Want the Snake River Dams Gone
A new survey shows that a majority of Washington’s voters prioritize the future of wild fish over preserving dams and even support a proposal to remove the dams.
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Fighting for Snake River Steelhead
Senator Murray and Representatives Smith and Jayapal are working vigorously to ensure the demise of this destructive legislation and recently sent a letter to House and Senate leadership communicating their strong opposition to HR 3144.
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Insanity on the Snake
WSC Board Member Josh Mills penned an impassioned editorial in Hatch Magazine titled “Sadistic Insanity on the Snake.” The piece poses a simple but poignant question – are the people fighting to maintain the failing status quo on the Snake too stupid or too evil to be in charge of managing an already teetering wild steelhead and salmon population?
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Snake River Dams Legislation is Bad News for Wild Steelhead
Multiple courts have ruled that the federal government's approach to steelhead and salmon restoration on the Snake is misguided and a massive waste of taxpayer money. They've ordered the government to explore a new approach, but now new legislation authored by Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers is trying to mandate that we stick with our broken management strategy.
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