Representative Smith statement on Trump’s Withdrawal from the Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement

SEATTLE, WA. – Today, Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) released the following statement after the Trump Administration announced a withdrawal from the historic agreement between the federal government and the Six Sovereigns – the Nez Perce Tribe, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation, and Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation, Washington State, and Oregon State – regarding the Columbia-Snake River system.

“President Trump has taken a crude axe to environmental conservation, modernized infrastructure, salmon recovery, and clean energy generation by abandoning the historic Resilient Columbia River Basin Agreement.

“This agreement paused decades of litigation and charted a desperately needed path forward for the Columbia River Basin. The Trump Administration’s reckless decision today sets the Pacific Northwest back tremendously and undermines our relationship with Tribal nations.

“Now, we must find a new path forward that ensures a future for the salmon, expands our reliable clean energy grid, and protects the irreplaceable environment of the Pacific Northwest.”