An Unprecedented Opportunity to Revive the Snake River

For decades, our community has been fighting vigorously to breach the lower four 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.

The Wild Steelhead Coalition would like to thank Congressman Simpson for his tireless work to develop this groundbreaking and comprehensive proposal. Taking on this daunting issue, which has been mired in decades of stagnation and controversy, requires true leadership and conviction. We commend the Congressman for his commitment to reviving the Snake River Watershed, and we encourage all political leaders in the Pacific Northwest to follow in his footsteps and support this transformational opportunity.  

With the release of this bold, comprehensive proposal, Congressman Simpson has fundamentally changed the landscape and created the best opportunity in more than a generation to free the Snake. However, this plan will do far more than create an unprecedented chance of fish recovery; it will also save taxpayers billions of dollars, create thousands of jobs, protect rate payers, support a stable and clean regional electric grid, benefit local communities, improve recreational opportunities, and help ensure we meet our Treaty obligations to Native American Tribes in the Columbia Basin.

The strength of this proposal lies in its comprehensive nature, its collaborative design, and its creative approach to offsetting the damage breaching the dams would have on farmers, irrigators, and shippers. As a result of this collaborative and empathetic approach, Congressman Simpson’s proposal is transforming many former foes of freeing the Snake into allies or at least willing stakeholders in the process. We are highly encouraged by this development and commend the Congressman for his commitment to collaboration and a holistic solution.

The Snake River was once the lifeblood of incredible runs of wild steelhead and salmon that were renowned for their size and the resilience they demonstrated on their arduous migration. Tragically, these once prolific runs are now a fraction of what they once were. However, thanks to Congressman Simpson’s bold proposal, the chance to revive this hurting watershed is closer than ever. Much work will need to be done to transform this proposal into a reality but after decades of frustration and disappointment, we finally have a real reason for hope and optimism.

In the coming weeks and months, our community of avid steelheaders will be called upon to step up and ensure our political leaders support this effort and fight to free the Snake. But before that effort begins, we encourage everyone to take a minute to relish this hard-earned progress, which is the result of our community’s years-long efforts to free the Snake.

With wild steelhead populations suffering and fishing opportunities disappearing across Steelhead Country, it is easy to be filled with despair and a sense of hopelessness. However, this proposal is proof positive of what our community can achieve when we build bridges and fight to create a better future for our sport and our beloved wild steelhead.

So this evening, please take a break from all of the chaos that surrounds us and celebrate this historic development. Give a hearty cheers to Congressman Mike Simpson and offer a heartfelt thanks for creating this tremendous opportunity. Relish this moment and reflect on what we can accomplish when we harness our community’s power and embody the resilience and determination of wild steelhead. And get yourself ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work.

We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a steelhead and salmon fishery that will be unparalleled on our planet. Let us not squander it. Let us fight tirelessly and let us prevail.