Hi John,

Have you spent time at a river lately? Or have cherished memories of time spent out on a river or alongside on the riverbank? Rivers are a constant throughout our lives, but not only as childhood playgrounds or peaceful escapes. They are also critical for drinking water, our economy, and entire ecosystems. And too many rivers are in serious crisis.

According to the just released report from American Rivers, the Pacific NW is home to the number one most endangered river in America – The Snake River. At risk: salmon runs, native rights and culture, prosperity for the Northwest, and more.

We need your help to ensure our congressional delegation knows what’s at stake, especially for the Snake River. Can you email Senators Wyden and Merkley and your member of Congress right now and ask them to read the report – America's Most Endangered Rivers of 2021?

One big reason our salmon are at risk is because the Snake River is at risk. In fact, salmon are teetering on the brink of extinction. The loss of salmon, a keystone species, has already devastated ecosystems, native cultures, and fishing communities across the region. But we can do something to turn things around. The Snake River – the largest tributary to the Columbia River – holds the largest potential for restoring salmon to healthy numbers.

Northwest tribes and Native people whose ceremony, culture, and economies are built around salmon have called on Congress to pass a solution that restores salmon by removing the lower Snake River dams. The Washington Black Lives Matter Alliance signed on in solidarity. Anglers, business owners, irrigators, public utilities, and local governments throughout the region are calling for solutions.

After decades of inaction, we cannot wait any longer. As the Snake River winds its way through Washington, Idaho, and Oregon, its impacts reach even further. Salmon and orcas are in danger of disappearing from the Northwest forever. Communities that depend on these species are struggling.

As a first step, our elected leaders in Washington, D.C. need to see this report to understand just how much is at risk. We are fortunate that Oregon has several strong environmental voices in Congress, but we also have to speak up so our rivers are not forgotten. Can you send a quick message asking them to read the report and work toward solutions for our rivers, especially the Snake River?

For all that our rivers do for us and our way of life, we can’t take them for granted. We have to take care of them so they can sustain life for us and future generations.

Thank you for taking action to protect our rivers!
Lindsey Scholten
Deputy Director, OLCV

P.S. You can read the American Rivers’ full list and report – America's Most Endangered Rivers of 2021 – here.