April Updates from Columbia Riverkeeper

20 Years Strong

Earth Day marks Columbia Riverkeeper’s 20th Anniversary! Every month in 2020 we’re sharing an inspiring story of grit, passion, and success. This month’s feature: the David versus Goliath victories over liquefied natural gas terminals and pipelines. Follow Columbia Riverkeeper on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more inspiring stories.

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New Tax Benefits for Giving

Congress recently expanded the tax benefits for charitable donations made this calendar year, even for taxpayers who take the standard deduction. Learn more about how you can support Columbia Riverkeeper and your favorite charities.

Fight for What You Love

Despite the pandemic, you showed up for what you love this month: orcas, salmon, and clean water. Columbia Riverkeeper’s Kate Murphy reflects on how people continue to fight for what they treasure about the Pacific Northwest.

Victory! EPA Must Protect Salmon

In March, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must finally take action to protect salmon and steelhead from dangerously warm river temperatures on the Snake and Columbia rivers. The Clean Water Act requires EPA to make a plan to help salmon and the people and orcas that depend on these fish.

ACT: High Risks at Hanford

In a new report, the U.S. Dept. of Energy says that three structures at Hanford pose a high risk of collapse, which could release radiation into the environment. Energy’s cleanup plan? Fill these structures with grout, a short-term solution that fails to protect public health and the Columbia River in the long-run.

Act now

April Partner Spotlight:

This month we salute our partners at Comunidades. Comunidades is a collaborative project that provides space for more Latinos and people of color to get involved in social justice and environmental issues in the Columbia River Gorge.

Virtual Events:

Let’s stay connected. This month we’re launching “Love Your Columbia Community.” We’ve teamed up with our incredible team of environmental lawyers, community organizers, scientists, and our partners who work everyday to protect the Columbia to share:

Facebook Live : "Columbia Riverkeeper 20th Birthday & Storytelling Livestream with Columbia Riverkeeper’s Executive Director." April 22, 2020, 1p.m.
Join Brett VandenHeuvel for inspiring stories about our past and future.
Online Class: “High Risks at Hanford.” April 28, 2020, 12 p.m.
In these times of great uncertainty, one thing remains certain: the Hanford Nuclear Site's aging infrastructure poses an increasing threat to human health and the environment. Hear the latest at Hanford from Yakama Nation Environmental Restoration and Waste Management program's STEM Coordinator Samantha Redheart, and Columbia Riverkeeper's Conservation Director Dan Serres.
Online Class: "Removing Lower Snake River Dams to Protect Salmon and Orcas." May 12, 2020, 4 p.m.
Without significant changes to the status quo, including dam removal, salmon and steelhead will likely go extinct from the Snake River in coming decades. Columbia Riverkeeper's Senior Attorney Miles Johnson sets the record straight on the impact of Snake River dam removal on water temperature.
Facebook Live: “How to Protect What You Love During COVID-19.” May 26, 2020, 6 p.m.
Columbia Riverkeeper's Community Organizer Kate Murphy and Senior Organizer Ubaldo Hernández share actions we can take to protect our environment and resources to support our communities during COVID-19.
Hanford Art Contest: “Reclaiming our River from Hanford’s Nuclear Legacy.” Now - May 31, 2020.
What does a clean and healthy Columbia River mean to you? Enter the all-ages art contest for a chance to win cash prizes. Enter today!

Take Action:

Demand Hanford Cleanup Comment Period: Now - May 22, 2020. Tell Energy that short-term plans do not equal long-term cleanup.
Protect Orcas & Salmon: We need leadership to remove Lower Snake River dams and bring our region forward together.
Tell Ecology to Stand Firm: Require a full, thorough, environmental study for the Kalama fracked gas-to-methanol refinery.

Donate

Columbia Riverkeeper | info@columbiariverkeeper.org
Hood River Office: 541-387-3030 | 407 Portway Avenue Suite 301 Hood River, OR 97031
Portland Office: 503-432-8927 | 1125 SE Madison Street Suite 103A Portland, OR 97214

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