Environmentalists for Black Lives Matter

In a powerful essay, Columbia Riverkeeper staff attorney, Simone Anter (Jicarilla Apache/Yaqui), explores why there is no fighting for a clean and healthy environment without fighting for social and racial justice. Systemic oppression is inextricably tied to environmentalism and Columbia Riverkeeper’s work.

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20 Years Strong 

Every month in 2020 we’re sharing an inspiring story of grit, passion, and success. This month’s feature: stopping the federal government’s plans to turn the Hanford Nuclear Site into a national nuclear waste dump. Follow Columbia Riverkeeper on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more inspiring stories.

 

Take a Stand for Salmon

The Snake and Columbia rivers are too hot for salmon. EPA’s recent study shows the dams are the main cause of water temperature problems. We are urging Northwest leaders and the EPA to develop a regional solution—including Lower Snake River dam removal—that protects salmon, Southern Resident orcas, and our communities.

 

Love Your Columbia Summer Webinar Series

Get inspired and stay connected with our team of scientists, attorneys, and community organizers this summer. Next up: "Six Images—Our Journey with Water, Activism and Social Justice" on July 21 at 6 p.m. Join two Native American civic leaders as they share six powerful images and events that shaped their lives. And it’s not too early to RSVP for our August 5 webinar, "Standing Up to Trump’s Environmental Rollbacks."

 

Victory: Vancouver Steps Up on Fossil Fuel

Local activism matters in the global fight for climate justice. The City of Vancouver unanimously passed a moratorium barring the establishment of new large-scale fossil fuel facilities within the city limits. Join us in supporting the City Council’s bold step to steer Vancouver in a sustainable direction.

 

Chris Turner: A Lasting Legacy

Dedicated activist and Columbia Riverkeeper member Chris Turner exemplified the positive aspects of community and environmental activism. On May 15, 2020, Chris passed away, but her legacy and her work will continue to benefit us all for years to come.

 

Events & Engagement​​​​​​:

  • Thursday, July 16 at 5 p.m.: SHINKOLOBWE. Interested in the Hanford Nuclear Site and the legacy of the nuclear arms race? On the 75th anniversary of the Trinity Test, join in for a webinar telling the stories of the Congolese miners who made the Manhattan Project possible.

  • Tuesday, July 21 at 6 p.m: "Six Images: Our Journey with Water, Activism, and Social Justice" featuring two Native American civic leaders, Cathy Sampson-Kruse (Waluulapum Band, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation) and Emily Washines (Yakama, Cree, Skokomish), as they share six powerful images and events that helped to shape their lives.

  • Wednesday, August 5 at 6 p.m: "Standing up to Trump’s Environmental Rollbacks", a webinar featuring attorneys on the frontlines of litigation challenging the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle laws that protect clean air and water.

  • Swim Guide: Know Before you Go! Swim Guide makes it easy to find clean water and a nice, accessible swimming beach. Columbia Riverkeeper began tracking water quality on Columbia River beaches last month and adds more beaches to our database every year.

  • Recap: Hanford’s Invisible Threat Webinar featuring Tom Sicilia from the Oregon Department of Energy and Simone Anter of Columbia Riverkeeper as they breakdown the current and future plans to treat Hanford’s invisible threat:  radioactive and toxic groundwater.

  • Conoce Tu Columbia: Tune in for new bilingual (Spanish and English) episodes every month for inspiring interviews, music, and commentary, and stories of people who protect our health and water from pollution.

 

Take Action:

  • If you live in Oregon, Washington, or Idaho, sign our petition by 7/21 demanding that Northwest elected officials and the EPA remove Lower Snake River dams before salmon face extinction.

  • The Trail West pipeline would pollute streams and rivers in the Clackamas River watershed, clearcutting a swath through the Mount Hood National Forest, while pushing fracked gas across the Cascades. Tell NW Natural to abandon its involvement in the proposed Trail West Pipeline today.

  • Thank the City of Vancouver for issuing a six-month moratorium prohibiting the establishment or expansion of large-scale fossil fuel facilities.

  • Tell the Washington Dept. of Ecology to require a full, thorough, environmental study for the Kalama fracked gas-to-methanol refinery.

 

Newsstand: Featuring Columbia Riverkeeper and Issues We Care About

Seattle Times

Oregon Public Broadcasting

  • Monica Samayoa inks an important piece articulating racism in the Oregon outdoors and how groups like Outdoor Afro and Soul River are changing the narrative and redefining access for Black communities
  • OPB Reports: Despite over 1,200 residents urging DEQ to Deny air pollution permits for oil-by-rail, rushed permits are issued to Global Partners to transload “renewable” diesel and Bakken crude oil

Pipeline Victories

  • In a historic moment for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Earthjustice reports on how the collaboration of Indigenous rights activism, peaceful protests, and legal advocacy led a federal judge to shut down the controversial Dakota Access pipeline to review the environmental impacts. 
  • New Republic accounts for how anti-pipeline protesters made the fossil fuel industry face economic realities that led to the cancellation of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline.
  • In violation of the Endangered Species Act, EcoWatch details the Supreme Court’s rejections of Trump’s effort to greenlight Keystone XL construction, a 1,200-mile crude oil project.
 

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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