President Biden Orders National Effort to Restore Native Fish Populations in the Columbia River Basin
In a significant move to restore the declining populations of native fish in the Columbia River Basin, President Biden has issued a presidential memo calling for a national effort to address the ecological damage caused by years of human activity in the region. The memo highlights the importance of these fish populations to the culture, economy, religion, and way of life of tribal nations and indigenous peoples.
The Columbia River Basin, once bustling with up to 10 million salmon annually, has seen a drastic reduction in fish returns due to factors such as the construction and operation of dams by the federal government. Despite the expenditure of billions of dollars by federal, tribal, and state governments, as well as various stakeholders, the fish populations in the basin continue to dwindle. Currently, thirteen salmon and steelhead species are listed as threatened or endangered.
Recognizing the urgent need for action, President Biden’s order emphasizes the necessity of a sustained national effort to restore healthy and abundant native fish populations in the Columbia River Basin. This directive comes as a federal lawsuit regarding the operation of hydroelectric dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers approaches its deadline.
Environmental groups, such as Earthjustice, have welcomed the White House memo, stating that it signals a commitment by the Biden administration to go beyond previous efforts in restoring salmon populations and supporting tribal rights. However, the memo does not recommend the breaching of dams in Eastern Washington, a controversial step that could have wide-ranging consequences for millions of customers relying on hydropower in the Northwest. According to a report by Washington Governor Jay Inslee and Senator Patty Murray, breaching the dams would cost billions of dollars and potentially result in significant rate increases for electricity consumers.
Advocates for maintaining the dams argue that they serve as a vital resource for communities, particularly in rural areas. They provide reliable, climate-friendly power with no greenhouse gas emissions and facilitate the transportation of crops like wheat for export to Asian countries. Efforts have been made to improve fish passages in the Lower Snake River dams to aid salmon runs.
While the idea of dam-breaching has been discussed for a long time, it has not gained widespread support. Only a few lawmakers, including Representative Mike Simpson of Idaho and Representative Earl Blumenauer of Oregon, have embraced this approach. Simpson’s plan proposes substantial investments to replace the lost hydroelectric energy and ensure continued irrigation, river navigation, and flood control.
The recent presidential memo has been viewed as a positive step toward restoring salmon and steelhead runs in the Northwest. It demonstrates President Biden’s commitment to honoring treaty rights and addressing past injustices. The memo, however, stops short of endorsing dam-breaching, recognizing the complex economic and logistical challenges associated with such a move.
As discussions and debates continue, stakeholders are hopeful that a balanced solution can be reached—one that focuses on salmon recovery, supports tribal treaty rights, and safeguards the needs of the communities relying on the benefits provided by the dams. The White House memo reinforces the urgency of finding a sustainable approach to restore the Columbia River Basin’s native fish populations and ensure the region’s resiliency. With continued collaboration and continued support, the path to recovery for these iconic fish species may become clearer, offering renewed hope for the future of the Columbia River Basin ecosystem.
