Too Hot at Hanford

Just 300 yards from the Columbia River, new sampling revealed high levels of radioactivity in the soil under the 324 Building at Hanford. Why is this a big deal? The area is too radioactive for workers, which will cause big changes in cleanup budgets and timelines.

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We Stop Polluters

Columbia Riverkeeper takes polluters to court when the government turns its back on illegal pollution. This summer, our attorneys and outside counsel are hard at work prosecuting a Clean Water Act lawsuit against one of the largest ports in the Pacific Northwest, the Port of Vancouver. How do we protect clean water? We enforce the law, advocate for cleanup at toxic sites, and work with Tribes and communities to fight for new laws that protect people and the river.

 

Climate Justice

Columbia Riverkeeper's Senior Organizer, Ubaldo Hernández, spoke at a recent conference, "Adapting to Climate Change in the Gorge," where he shared the importance of social justice in line with the movement to adapt to environmental changes. "Speaking about farmworker issues--including the risks of pesticide use to farmworkers and not having access to forums to voice concerns--Ubaldo said his work at Columbia Riverkeeper has demonstrated how important the river is to all of us."

 

Farmers > Fossil Fuels

On July 14, NEXT Renewables withdrew a permit application after unanimous local opposition. NEXT's proposal would plunk a massive, polluting refinery in the sensitive Columbia River Estuary at Port Westward.

 

Canary in the Coal Mine

This month marked the first time in 2023 the lower Snake and Columbia river reservoirs surpassed the 68°F “harm” threshold for salmon and steelhead. Salmon are migrating through dangerous and lethal water temperatures. Want to do something about it? Sign our petition to remove the Lower Snake River dams. 

 

Partner Spotlight: Davis Yellowash Washines

Davis Yellowash Washines dedicates his life to protecting the welfare of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation (Yakama Nation), the Yakama people, and the rights guaranteed to them by the U.S.-Yakama Treaty of 1855. Davis has been instrumental in advancing the Tribe’s decade-long effort to hold the U.S. government accountable for cleanup of Bradford Island. Check out this recent interview with Yellowash on “Conoce Tu Columbia” (in English).

 

Take Action:

  • Stop GTN Xpress: FERC will hold a meeting tomorrow (July 27, 2023) to vote on the project. Last chance to weigh in! Call Washington Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, and ask them to publicly oppose GTN Xpress. 

  • Clean Up Bradford Island: Tell the Environmental Protection Agency and the US Army Corps that a timely and effective cleanup of the Bradford Island Superfund site is a top priority.

 

 

Events & Engagement:

  • Volunteer: July 29, 2023, in Hood River, Oregon. Join Columbia Riverkeeper for a river cleanup and weed pull at the Nichols Natural Area near the Hood River Waterfront.
  • Is it Safe to Swim? Clean water is a right, and all people deserve the opportunity to swim and fish without fear of getting sick. Columbia Riverkeeper monitors water quality at popular Columbia River recreation sites. Check current conditions on Swim Guide, a user-friendly app.
 

In the News

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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 
Columbia Riverkeeper is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a 2021 Platinum Seal of Transparency on GuideStar.

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