By Bill Arthur, Vice Chair Washington Conservation Committee
If your new year resolution was to get more involved in protecting our orca and salmon, you’re in luck. As we ring in the new year, we also welcome two new opportunities to effectively protect our endangered salmon, and the Resident Southern orca that depend on them for survival. Together we can control suction dredge mining, a practice that destroys critical salmon habitat and also advance restoration of the Snake river, which protects the communities and species of the Northwest.
Suction Dredge Mining
Last year, we came close to passing suction dredge mining reform in Washington. Now, we need your help to put it over the top! With passage of ESSB 5322 in the WA Senate in 2019, we are well-poised for success in 2020. It is time for Washington State to join our neighboring states and protect our endangered species and threatened ecosystems from the impacts of recreational suction dredge mining.
Despite its threat to both fish habitat and water quality, Washington is the only western state that does not effectively regulate suction dredge mining This harmful practice vacuums up the gravel and sediment of river bottoms to run through a sluice box, harming habitat that nurtures the salmon and steelhead that feed our Southern Resident orca. Suction dredge mining also jeopardizes the hundreds of millions of investment dollars being put into habitat restoration by states, tribes and federal agencies.
The legislation (HB 1261 and SB 6149) will:
- ban suction dredge mining in Endangered Species Act (ESA)-designated Critical Habitat for salmon, steelhead, and bull trout, and
- require Washington State Department of Ecology oversight for Clean Water Act compliance for suction dredge mining activities.
Washington Snake River Stakeholder Process
Southern Resident orca are swimming on the brink of extinction. Today, they are considered one of the most endangered marine mammals in the world due to a lack of prey. The Chinook salmon populations these whales rely on for food are just a remnant of their former levels, leaving orca starving and malnourished. Yet despite this somber news, Washingtonians have refused to give up in their quest to save these iconic Northwest species.
This fall, Governor Inslee’s office gathered information about the potential impacts of removing the four lower Snake River dams. According to scientists, restoring the lower Snake River by removing four dams is essential to protecting endangered salmon and steelhead populations, feeding starving orca, and restoring ecological benefits to people and ecosystems across the Northwest. With thousands of miles of pristine, protected upstream habitat, this river represents the best salmon restoration opportunity anywhere on the West Coast.
The gathered information was incorporated into a draft report that was released on December 20th. In addition, three public workshops were held the first two weeks of January with nearly 1000 people attending one of the public sessions in Clarkston, Vancouver and Pasco.
Now, the public is being asked to join the conversation about saving our endangered salmon and Southern Resident orca populations while assuring local communities continue to thrive. You can comment on the draft report by clicking on the link below. This is an important opportunity to protect our endangered salmon and orca, and assure all communities benefit from this recovery process. Voice your support for these iconic Northwest species and recommend practical and affordable solutions for those impacted by dam removal.
Submit an online comment today!
Thank you for your continued advocacy on behalf of our endangered Chinook salmon and Southern Resident orca. Together we can protect and restore these iconic Northwest species for generations to come.