THE LAST CATCH: CONVERSATIONS ON THE COLUMBIA & SNAKE RIVERS

The Last Catch: Conversations on the Columbia and Snake Rivers is a dynamic speaker series that explores the future of our rivers and the vital role they play in the ecology, economy, and culture of the Northwest.

The Last Catch series is brought to you by the Columbia Snake River Campaign and organized by Nez Perce Tribe’s Orca Salmon Project, American Rivers, Washington Conservation Action, Hispanic Access Foundation, and Idaho Conservation league. 

Join us live every 3rd Wednesday of the month or catch the replay on your favorite streaming platform. 

This episode focuses on what’s next for the Columbia River Basin, after the Trump administration upends the historic agreement to restore salmon, expand clean energy, and support farmers by maintaining water access and transportation.

We’re thrilled to welcome Marcus Harrison Green, publisher of South Seattle Emerald™ and columnist at The Stranger, as our moderator. He leads a free-flowing conversation with key stakeholders — and there are plenty of chances for audience questions and engagement throughout the session.

EPISODE 1: WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE COLUMBIA BASIN?

IN CONVERSATION WITH:

Shannon F. Wheeler

Chairman, Nez Perce Tribe

Kate Marckworth

Senior Staff Attorney,

Yakama Nation

Amanda Goodin

Supervising Senior Attorney, Earth Justice

Michael Garrity

Special Assistant, WA State Dept. of Fish & Wildlife

Make your voice heard—urge your representatives to stand with the Six Sovereigns and fund the Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative!

The Trump administration just pulled out of the Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement (RCBA), an historic agreement between Columbia Basin Tribes, the states of Washington and Oregon, and the federal government. This agreement offered our best chance in decades to recover endangered salmon and steelhead, invest in affordable clean energy, and uphold Tribal treaty rights.

CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES BY SEPTEMBER 1, 2025!

TAKE ACTION: Trump Administration Abandons Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement

WHY YOUR COMMENTS MATTER:

Abandoning the RCBA means:

  • Continued decline in wild salmon and steelhead runs — at the expense of Tribes, recreational fishing, and rural communities.

  • More taxpayer money wasted on maintaining failing dam infrastructure.

  • Stalling development of  a cleaner, more resilient energy system for the Northwest and associated jobs.  .

  • Broken promises to Northwest Tribes — whose rights, lands, and salmon life sources are again being dismissed.

  • Likely extinction of the Southern Resident orcas and a worsening biodiversity and climate crisis in one of the most ecologically important watersheds in North America.

Fortunately, this decision can’t stop us from acting with urgency to restore salmon, uphold Tribal sovereignty, and create a sustainable future for the Northwest..

SUBJECT: Support the Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative —Protect Salmon, Tribes, and Northwest Communities

Dear [Representative/Senator NAME],

I’m writing to express my deep concern over the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw from the Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement (RCBA). This short-sighted move abandons an historic agreement to restore endangered salmon, honor Tribal treaty rights, and modernize our region’s outdated energy infrastructure.

The RCBA was the product of years of collaboration between Tribes, states, and federal agencies. It represented the best chance we’ve had in decades to restore salmon abundance and chart a future for the region that supports everyone – from Tribes to anglers, farmers, boaters, energy customers, and the beautiful ecosystems that make the Northwest unique .

In walking away from this agreement, the Administration has committed to:

  • Worsening extinction risks for Columbia Basin salmon, steelhead, and Southern Resident orcas,

  • Further decline of the region’s recreational fishing economy, which supports rural communities,

  • More wasted taxpayer dollars spent on propping up aging dam infrastructure,

  • Blatant dismissal of Tribal sovereignty and the U.S. Government’s  credibility in Tribal treaties.

  • Stalling development of cleaner, more resilient energy infrastructure to meet the Northwest’s growing demand.

As your constituent, I urge you to:

  • Speak out publicly against the RCBA withdrawal,

  • Support legislative and budget actions aligned with the Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative (CBRI), including FY26 appropriations requests from the Six Sovereigns, and

  • Work with Tribal leaders to ensure their voices and treaty rights are centered in all future negotiations.

The Northwest deserves a future with abundant salmon, affordable clean energy, and justice for Tribal Nations. Please help protect it.

SAMPLE LETTER:

SUBMIT YOUR LETTER

WANT TO DO MORE?

  • Share this action in your networks and on social media!

  • Follow Columbia Snake River Campaign on Facebook and Instagram – boost and repost!