June 23, 2025

By Bob Rees, Vice President of Conservation, Association of Northwest Steelheaders, West Linn, Oregon

Salmon and steelhead are central to the Pacific Northwest way of life, and the Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement offered a path forward where restoring abundant fish runs and affordable, reliable energy could coexist.

The Presidential Memorandum issued by President Donald Trump pulling the federal government out of this framework agreement is seriously shortsighted. This choice will derail years of community discussions and engagement. The forced implosion of the agreement will void the court-ordered stay on lawsuits. Parties will head right back to court for protracted legal actions while these fish move closer toward extinction.

Simply put, no recovery efforts will prevail while the lower Snake River dams continue to be the largest contributor of human-caused fish mortality. The Northwest was moving toward a comprehensive regional solution, and we can’t afford to turn back. We’ve already spent nearly $26 billion attempting to recover Columbia River salmon and steelhead — the most expensive species-recovery effort in history.

The Pacific Northwest wants a future with these incredible fish, and we won’t be deterred. We are deeply grateful for the hard work of our state leaders and partners who have championed this issue, and together we will save salmon and steelhead from extinction.

The Columbian: Letter: Salmon decision is shortsighted