FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 30, 2024

Columbia Snake River Campaign Praises Governor Kotek’s Bold Leadership on Salmon Recovery

Executive Order Adds Timely Momentum to Restoration Efforts in the Columbia River Basin 

PORTLAND OR — Today, the Columbia Snake River Campaign commends Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek for issuing an Executive Order that reaffirms Oregon’s commitment to restoring wild salmon and steelhead and other native fish populations in the Columbia River Basin. Executive order 24-28 aligns with the Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative (CBRI) and the Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement (RCBA), as well as the Presidential Memorandum issued last year to prioritize concrete steps to restore abundant salmon populations across the Columbia River Basin and keep its commitments to Northwest Tribes. The Campaign praises Governor Kotek for her leadership in recognizing Oregon’s responsibility to ensure the future abundance of endangered fish populations and uphold Tribal Treaty rights through comprehensive basin-wide restoration that also ensures a clean, affordable and resilient energy future for the region.

“This Executive Order represents Gov. Kotek’s commitment to restoring our iconic salmon runs while recognizing the opportunity to modernize and enhance the services currently provided by the rivers. This action is a commitment to good governance—keeping promises made to Tribes, to the people of Oregon and to future generations,”  said Kayeloni Scott, Executive Director of the Columbia Snake River Campaign “The Columbia Snake River Campaign will support this Executive Order by working to ensure that all parties, from state agencies to federal partners, are held accountable for turning these commitments into real, measurable actions that consider the needs of salmon and the relatively small window of time remaining.”

Liz Hamilton, Policy Director of the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association (NSIA), emphasized the importance of accountability in restoring salmon runs: “Governor Kotek’s leadership sends a clear message that promises made to protect and restore wild salmon cannot be delayed any longer. Oregon, working alongside other sovereigns with the Biden administration and other partners, must do everything within its power to take urgent action to restore salmon. We need to hold everyone involved accountable for their promises to restore the river, from federal agencies to regional stakeholders. 

Nancy Hirsh, Executive Director of the NW Energy Coalition, commends the governor’s Executive Order for including clean, resilient and affordable energy as one of the goals tied to Columbia Basin restoration: “As we investigate how to feasibly replace the services of the lower Snake River dams, we have an opportunity to not only save salmon and meet Tribal treaty obligations, but to also modernize our energy infrastructure in ways that benefit everyone across the region, with federal support and without utility customers or river users bearing the burden.” 

The Columbia Snake River Campaign strongly supports Gov. Kotek’s call for transparency and collaboration across state, federal, and Tribal partners to ensure that the commitments made in the CBRI and RCBA are fulfilled. The Campaign is committed to working alongside Tribes, conservationists, and local communities to restore the river system and hold decision-makers accountable for taking meaningful, timely actions, including dam removal.