Columbia Riverkeeper sues Army Corps over dams’ water pollution
By Miles Johnson, Senior Attorney
Columbia Riverkeeper is suing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for illegally polluting the Columbia River with hot water, oil, and toxic chemicals. Four dams operated by the Army Corps on the Columbia River between Portland, OR, and Tri-Cities, WA, discharge illegal pollution in violation of the Clean Water Act. Riverkeeeper’s suit would require the Army Corps to get Clean Water Act permits and reduce pollution from these dams.
Dams on the Columbia River make the water too hot for endangered salmon and steelhead, according to government studies. Last summer, Columbia Riverkeeper captured graphic video footage of sockeye salmon dying from hot water in the Columbia River Gorge.
No one is above the law; the Army Corps agreed to obtain permits for its dams over seven years ago, but it failed to do so. Clean Water Act permits would require the Army Corps to study and implement real solutions to the dams’ hot water pollution, like drawing down John Day reservoir during the spring and summer to keep the river cool and help salmon migrate safely.
If you want to help protect salmon from hot water, please sign this petition to remove dams on the Lower Snake River, another major source of heat pollution.