These rivers are a national treasure that belong to all Americans. It’s painfully obvious to those of us that float these incredible rivers that it doesn’t make sense to roll back their protections just to make logging easier.
Kevin Colburn, National Stewardship Director for American Whitewater
Most endangered rivers
Threat: Commercial logging, dredge mining, dam-building
The stunning Clearwater River Basin in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest is home to Chinook salmon, steelhead, westslope cutthroat trout, and bull trout due to its cold, clean, high-elevation streams. The clean water that filters through the old growth forests is one of the most valuable resources the Forest produces. However, 700 miles of rivers and streams within the Clearwater River Basin and the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest are at risk from commercial logging, mining, and future dams. The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest must issue new guidance to protect the Clearwater River Basin from increased harmful resource extraction.
American Rivers appreciates the collaboration and efforts of our partners:
- Idaho Rivers United
- American Whitewater
This is our moment to turn a staggering crisis into a transformational opportunity. We can set the Northwest on a course to economic strength, cultural revitalization, and security in the face of climate change. But the clock is ticking and salmon are slipping toward extinction. We need these investments and actions now.
Kyle Smith, Snake River Director, American Rivers
Most endangered rivers
Threat: Four Federal Dams
Salmon in the Columbia-Snake River basin are on the brink of extinction in large part due to four dams on the lower Snake in eastern Washington. Restoring salmon runs and honoring treaties and responsibilities with Tribal Nations across the region requires removal of these four dams. Momentum and support for this river restoration effort is growing, but it is critical that the hydropower, transportation, and irrigation services of the dams are replaced before dam removal can begin. The region’s congressional delegation and the Biden administration must act with urgency to invest in infrastructure so that the dams can be removed, setting the Northwest on a course to climate resilience, economic strength, abundant salmon, and cultural revitalization.