Persistence for salmon

The Inland Empire tribes are “leading the charge” to restore salmon, here.

The many brilliant technologies to hoist fish above and below dams can supplement well-designed modern fish ladders; ladders (fish passage) that were not built but required on key dams: Grand Coulee, Long Lake, and Little Falls (Jim Kershner March 12, 2006, S-R, NW Power and Conservation Council).

It is large quantities of salmon that we need to aim for on our rivers. Start with Grand Coulee Dam and prove to the Inland Empire that salmon restoration can work on the many tributaries to the Columbia River. Those responsible, who say it can’t be done, should step aside. Furthermore, the current Washington state tax-base coupled with federal funds to build these structures is robust, unlike the Depression Era.

On the Olympic Peninsula, the Lower Elwah Tribe salmon-restoration efforts “led the charge” on the Elwah River dam on both removals by preparing the way through decades of planning and salmon restoration downriver. The tribe persisted in their work, in spite of controversy and heel-dragging by the city of Port Angeles and Olympic National Park agencies.

Daniel Collins

Seattle