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An endangered female orca leaps from the water while breaching in Puget Sound west of Seattle. The orca is from the J pod, one of three groups of southern resident killer whales that frequent the inland waters of Washington state.  (Elaine Thompson / AP)
Article November 17, 2023

Northwest Tribes Demand Action for Salmon and Orca Restoration

Tribes call for dam removal and restoration of healthy salmon and orca populations during emotional two-day summit.

Document October 31, 2023

Notice RE: Stay Expiration and Further Proceedings

A coalition of fishing, conservation, and renewable energy groups, represented by Earthjustice, have jointly agreed, with the Biden administration, the states of Oregon and Washington, and the Nez Perce, Yakama, Warm Springs, and Umatilla Tribes to notify the court of an additional pause in litigation over dam operations on the Snake River for another 45 days.

A sockeye salmon (<i>Oncorhynchus nerka</i>) in Little Redfish Lake Creek, Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Idaho. (Neil Ever Osborne / Save Our Wild Salmon / iLCP)
Press Release October 31, 2023

Parties in Snake River Salmon Litigation Ask Court for More Time

The notice will allow negotiations to continue

Snake River's blue waters stand out against green landscape with Teton Mountain Range ascending in the background. Grand Tetons National Park, Teton County, Wyoming. (Edwin Remsberg / Getty Images)
Update October 12, 2023

Snake River Salmon Are in Crisis — But a Turning Point May Be Near

As time runs out for Pacific Northwest salmon, the Biden administration is signaling important steps to restore native fish populations and honor treaty obligations.

Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) in Little Redfish Lake Creek, Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Idaho. Salmon will have greater access to spawning grounds in Idaho if the lower Snake River dams are removed.
(Neil Ever Osborne / Save Our Wild Salmon / iLCP)
Press Release September 27, 2023

Plaintiffs in Columbia-Snake Litigation Applaud the Biden Administration’s Resolve to Restore Snake River Salmon

Presidential Memorandum directs federal agencies to restore healthy and abundant salmon populations across the Columbia River Basin

Document September 14, 2023

LSRD Coalition Letter Sept 2024

Lower Snake River Dam Coalition letter urging Congress and the Administration work with Tribal Nations, stakeholders, and the Northwest to implement a comprehensive solution to restore salmon in the Columbia and Snake Rivers, provide justice for Tribes, and ensure a successful transition to a strong and robust future.

A sockeye salmon (<em>Oncorhynchus nerka</em>) in Little Redfish Lake Creek, Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Idaho. (Neil Ever Osborne / Save Our Wild Salmon / ILCP)
Press Release August 31, 2023

Parties Ask Court to Extend Pause on Columbia-Snake Litigation

Stay extension based on U.S. commitments to restore salmon and other imperiled native fish populations

Document August 31, 2023

NWF v. NMFS Final Stay Extension Motion

A coalition of fishing and conservation groups, represented by Earthjustice, have jointly agreed, with the Biden administration, Oregon, the Nez Perce Tribe and others to ask the court for an additional 60-day pause in our litigation over dam operations on the Snake and Columbia Rivers.

A sockeye salmon (<i>Oncorhynchus nerka</i>) in Little Redfish Lake Creek, Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Idaho. (Neil Ever Osborne / Save Our Wild Salmon / iLCP)
Press Release April 24, 2023

Washington State Legislature Takes Important Next Steps Towards Honoring Treaty Responsibilities to Tribal Nations and Restoring Endangered Salmon in the Lower Snake River

The Northwest Salmon Restoration Campaign celebrates progress on the largest river restoration in history

Lower Granite Dam, one of the four massive dams on the Lower Snake River, that is driving wild salmon to extinction. The other three are Ice Harbor, Little Goose, and Lower Monumental.
(Chris Jordan-Bloch / Earthjustice)
feature January 8, 2023

Why Restoration of the Lower Snake River is Necessary to Save Wild Salmon

It’s time for the four dams on the Lower Snake River to go and for our salmon to come home — to a free-flowing and healthy Snake River.

Press Release August 4, 2022

Parties Ask Court to Extend Stay in Legal Fight for Endangered Snake River Salmon

Urgent action is needed to restore salmon and other native fish populations

Document August 4, 2022

Motion to stay litigation in Snake River case

Parties ask the Court to extend the litigation stay through August 31, 2023.

Document August 4, 2022

Ex 1 Motion to stay litigation in Snake River case

A press release from U.S. federal agencies committing to take action on Columbia River Basin fisheries.

Document August 4, 2022

Ex 2 Motion to stay litigation in Snake River case

Commitments outlined by the U.S. government supporting development of a durable long-term strategy to restore salmon and other native fish populations to healthy and abundant levels, honoring Federal commitments to Tribal Nations, delivering affordable and reliable clean power, and meeting the many resilience needs of stakeholders across the Columbia River Basin region.

A sockeye salmon in Little Redfish Lake Creek. Oncorhynchus nerka. Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Idaho.
(Neil Ever Osborne / Save Our Wild Salmon / iLCP)
feature April 5, 2022

Removing Four Dams Could Save These Wild Salmon from Extinction

The Pacific Northwest was home to one of the greatest salmon runs in the world — until four massive dams began restricting passage from the ocean to freshwater streams. Now, it’s up to communities in the region to work together, and to local elected leaders to join them.

The Lower Granite Dam is one of the four Lower Snake River dams Earthjustice is fighting to remove.
(Chris Jordan-Bloch / Earthjustice)
From the Experts January 3, 2022

Breakthrough in 20+ Year Legal Battle Over Fate of Snake River Salmon

Federal agencies in the Biden administration have finally agreed to seek a long-term comprehensive solution that restores Snake River salmon.

Document October 21, 2021

Term Sheet: Snake River: Conservation & Fishing Groups Agree to Pause Litigation, Discuss Long-Term, Comprehensive Solution to Aid Struggling Salmon

Federal agencies agree to stop-gap measures for dam operations in 2022