Federal Agencies Announce New Environmental Compliance Analysis Columbia River System Operations
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation have announced a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) process to revise the current environmental study related to the operations, maintenance, and configuration of the Columbia River System. This critical process should take into consideration new scientific findings, environmental realities, and commitments under the Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement (RCBA) signed last year.
The SEIS marks a key opportunity to assess the needs of salmon, Tribal Nations, and Northwest communities, while addressing modern challenges like regional energy resilience, transportation infrastructure, and climate adaptation. The Columbia Snake River Campaign applauds this step forward to ensure solutions that honor commitments to restore the Columbia River Basin's iconic salmon runs.
A Vital Opportunity to Right Historical Wrongs
The Columbia River System Operations include fourteen dams across the Columbia Basin. While these dams provide some energy and transportation benefits, they have come at enormous costs to salmon and steelhead populations, Tribal communities, commercial and recreational fishers, coastal communities, and the broader ecosystem. The SEIS will evaluate updated scientific data, including studies identifying how removing the four Lower Snake River dams could help restore salmon populations while ensuring modern transportation and energy solutions.
“The time to act is now. With this supplemental review process, the federal agencies are taking a much-needed step to analyze solutions that prioritize both salmon recovery and the livelihoods of farmers, rural communities, and other stakeholders," said Kayeloni Scott, Executive Director of the Columbia Snake River Campaign. “By advancing clean energy opportunities, upgrading infrastructure, and restoring the Lower Snake River, we can build a resilient Northwest that works for all.”
Commitments Under the Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement
The SEIS stems from commitments under the Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement signed in December, 2023. This groundbreaking agreement between Tribal Nations, States of Washington and Oregon, and the U.S. Government highlights a shared path to salmon restoration, clean energy, and infrastructure investments.
The SEIS process should explore:
Updated Environmental Impacts: Analyzing modern scientific data on salmon, steelhead, and ecosystems.
Transportation and Infrastructure: Understanding the role of rail, roads, and waterway transportation while ensuring farmers and shippers have reliable options.
Irrigation Infrastructure: Making sure farms near what is now Ice Harbor pool can continue to irrigate fields and orchards.
Energy Resilience: Assessing regional power needs, reliability, and clean energy opportunities.
Tribal Justice: Honoring commitments to Tribes who have stewarded the Basin since time immemorial and suffered decades of cultural, spiritual, and economic loss.
Next Steps for Public Engagement
The SEIS process will include public comment opportunities and virtual scoping meetings the week of February 10, 2025. Additional details on meeting times and participation can be found on the project website: www.nwd.usace.army.mil/CRSO/.
The Columbia Snake River Campaign urges stakeholders, Tribal Nations, farmers, shippers, recreationalists, the fishing community, and the public to participate in this process to help shape a more sustainable and equitable future for the Northwest.
