The Snake River Crisis
Declining Salmon
Is dam breaching our only option? Hear from Nez Perce Fisheries expert Dave Johnson to hear the latest on salmon returns, and why breaching the Lower Snake River dams is our only hope for saving wild salmon, and therefore the region’s ecosystem.
A Lasting Solution for the Columbia Basin
Pacific Northwest Tribal vision for the Snake River rests on four core truths:
The status of salmon, steelhead, and lamprey is dire;
The four concrete barriers on the lower Snake River have a devastating impact on fish and tribal people;
Restoring the lower Snake River to a natural river and reconnecting it to the near-pristine habitat of the Salmon and Clearwater basins is key to rebuilding retrurns, along with ongoing hatchery and habitat actions;
As dire as the situation already is, the fish may have even less time, without action, given the looming impacts of climate warming
The Tribes Are United:
Regional + National Tribal Resolutions
Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians
Supporting and thanking all the Leaders who have Heard the ATNI Tribes’ Voices, and Especially the Biden-Harris Administration, and Senator Murray and Governor Inslee, for Steps they are taking toward Salmon and River Restoration in the Pacific Northwest, and toward Long-Ignored Tribal Justice for our Peoples and Homelands
May 19, 2022 • Read Here
National Congress of American Indians
Calling On The President and Congress to Invest in Salmon And River Restoration In The Pacific Northwest
July 16, 2021 • Read Here
Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians
Calling on the President of the United States and the 117th Congress to seize the once-in-a-lifetime congressional opportunity to invest in salmon and river restoration in the Pacific Northwest, charting a stronger, better future for the Northwest, and bringing long ignored tribal justice to our peoples and homelands
May 24, 2021 • Read Here
News + Media
PC Mason Trinca / The Guardian
Salmon Face Extinction throughout the US West. Blame these Four Dams
The Guardian • June 9, 2021
Hallie Golden
“The dams back up the water flow for miles, increase water temperature and create an overall much longer and thus more dangerous journey for them [the salmon].”
PC Kiliii Yuyan for Time
The Fight to Save the Salmon
Time Magazine • October 18, 2021
Brian Bennett
”In the creation story passed down from generation to generation among the Nez Perce, the salmon in these waters used to speak, but they gave their voices to humans. “Now,” says Wheeler, the tribe’s vice chairman, “we need to speak for the fish.”
With Snake River spring, summer Chinook on a ‘quasi-extinction threshold,’ NW tribes call for dam removals
Oregon Public Broadcasting • July 12, 2021
Tribes across the Northwest are calling for immediate action to remove the four Lower Snake River dams. During a two-day salmon and orca summit in Western Washington last week, the group called on President Biden and congressional members to “take bold action, now
PC Steve Ringman / The Seattle Times
Gov. Inslee, Sen Murray pursue dam-breaching assessment on Lower Snake River
The Seattle Times • October 22, 2021
Lynda V Mapes
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Gov. Jay Inslee are setting the wheels in motion to begin a regionwide assessment of dam breaching on the Lower Snake River.
PC Kiliii Yuyan for Time
How a Long-Shot Push to Remove Dams to Protect Wild Salmon is Gaining Traction
Time Magazine • October 21, 2021
Brian Bennett
“While it is important to balance the region’s economy and power generation, it is also time to improve conditions for Tribes that have relied on these important species since time immemorial,” Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland said in a statement announcing the agreement.
PC Bonneville Power Administration
Inslee says Lower Snake River dams report should be ready next summer
Oregon Public Broadcasting • October 17, 2021
Courtney Flatt
“I believe the way to advance this discussion, nationally and in our state, is to have a rigorous, robust and fast assessment of how to replace services if we breach those dams,” Inslee said at the roundtable.
PRESS RELEASES
Nez Perce Tribe Calls for National Leadership from the Administration and Congress: Murray-Inslee Report on Replacing the Service of the Lower Snake River Dams
June 9, 2022 • Read Here
Nez Perce Tribe joins State of Oregon and Conservation Groups Requesting Court to Spill Water over Federal Dams on the Snake and Columbia Rivers and Drawdown Reservoirs to Aid Imperiled Salmon and Steelhead
July 16, 2021 • Read Here
Northwest Tribes Call on Biden Administration & Congress to Take Bold Action to Recover Snake River Salmon & Orcas
July 8, 2021 • Read Here
Tribes Across the Country Unite Around Lower Snake River Dam Breaching and Orca Recovery Needs
July 1, 2021 • Read Here
Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Pass United Resolution Supporting Removal of Four Lower Snake River Dams
May 28, 2021 • Read Here
Northwest Tribes Remain United Around Lower Snake River Dam Removal and Other Infrastructure Needs for Salmon
May 25, 2021 • Read Here
Legacy Moment for Northwest Leaders – For Salmon and a Better, Stronger Northwest
May 14, 2021 • Read Here
Nez Perce Tribe Praises Congressman Earl Blumenauer’s Support for Simpson Northwest Energy and Salmon Plan; Calls on other Northwest leaders to join effort
May 4, 2021 • Read Here
Columbia Basin Tribes Urge Congress to make Historic Investment in Northwest Infrastructure
April 15, 2021 • Read Here
Columbia Basin Tribes Gather in Support of Columbia Basin Initiative Proposed by Congressman Simpson
April 14, 2021 • Read Here
Nez Perce Tribe Supports Simpson Leadership on Columbia Basin Initiative
February 26, 2021 • Read here