Our End-of-2012 Holiday Issue: The Obama Administration Kicks Off a New Approach
Our final issue of the year focuses on just one recent major campaign achievement …but we’ll also take the opportunity to remind you about our end-of-the-year fundraising effort.
FIRST, THE NEWS: The Obama Administration just took a critical first step to engage stakeholders directly affected by long-standing, contentious (and failed!) efforts to protect and restore Columbia Basin salmon and steelhead. After twenty years of illegal federal plans, declining wild salmon populations, and struggling fishing communities, salmon and fishing advocates view this outreach to stakeholders as a very promising move by the administration.
The Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition and our allies and partners have long advocated for a ‘stakeholder table’ that brings people together to develop a long-term plan to rebuild endangered salmon and steelhead populations and the communities that rely on them. This is a first step toward initiating such a regional dialogue.
On December 11, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reached out to 150 Columbia Basin stakeholders to invite them to provide their views about “how to best approach long-term salmon and steelhead recovery in the Columbia Basin.”
This is the first time that the federal government has sought to directly engage Northwest stakeholders – including farmers, fishermen and fishing businesses, utilities, power producers, energy consumers, conservationists, and others – in a dialogue about solutions for Columbia/Snake salmon and Northwest communities.
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THIS IMPORTANT ACHIEVEMENT BELONGS TO YOU, and to all of us. Our coalition of citizens, fishermen, scientists, businesses, organizations, and elected officials - alongside the State of Oregon and Nez Perce Tribe - have made the case for constructive dialogue and shared solutions.
ALL OF US AT SOS ARE SO GRATEFUL for your commitment to our diverse partnership for wild salmon, healthy rivers, and healthy communities. We have a lot of work to do, but we have helped secure a genuine venue to seek long-term solutions for salmon and people on the Columbia-Snake. Thank you.
-- Pat Ford, executive director
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Thanks to you, the public and political support for stakeholder talks is strong and growing, and NOAA’s new initiative is helping to start the conversation. We need to move beyond the gridlock, the uncertainty, and the salmon losses and take a new approach. By bringing together all affected interests to work together on shared solutions, we’ll have the best chance to develop a plan that restores healthy salmon, invests in communities and businesses, and has support across the Northwest because it broadly benefits its people and communities.
In the meantime, we’ll continue to work toward ensuring that - after NOAA gathers input from Northwest people in the first half of 2013 – a solutions-focused stakeholder process is convened in the second half.
These talks are needed – and soon. Endangered salmon and steelhead populations can’t wait, and neither can the communities and businesses that depend on them. Two decades of uncertainty and declines have come with a cost.
In order to succeed, talks must include all affected interests and consider all credible measures and options – including the removal of the four lower Snake River dams. Talks need to be transparent and guided by good science, good economics, and the law.
Listed below you will find a number of links to articles, op-eds, and editorials – expressing support for convening talks and reporting on the Obama Administration’s new efforts to engage stakeholders.
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But...before you click through to review the recent press coverage...please consider making an end of year, 100% tax-deductible, salmon-sustaining holiday donation to Save Our wild Salmon. We are hosting a terrific raffle and we have some great gifts in appreciation of your generosity.
Right now, we are half way to matching Patagonia’s generous $10,000 Holiday Challenge Grant. By contributing now, you'll help us double our money before the end of the year.
This new approach by the Administration represents a tremendous opportunity for wild salmon, clean energy, and communities. But we still have lots of work ahead of us in 2013. Your support is both critical and appreciated. THANK YOU!
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Now…to the press coverage!
PNS RADIO (December 13): A New Approach for Saving Northwest salmon
Oregonian (Oregon, December 12): NOAA fisheries takes first step toward building consensus on Columbia Basin salmon recovery
Seattle Post Intelligencer (Washington State, December 12): Feds: New move to break Columbia River salmon impasse
Idaho Statesman Editorial (Idaho, December 5): Our View: The $9,000 Sockeye? There is a Better Answer
Op-ed in the Columbian (Washington State, December 2): Time for new approach to save salmon
Daily Astorian Editorial (Oregon, November 13): Salmon Recovery Waits on Obama
As always, thank you for your support!
Joseph and the SOS Team
