In the past, the Columbia River was a hugely productive river system for salmon, but now, many species are approaching extinction levels, creating difficulties for fishing businesses and local tribes.
The Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement was a powerful step toward restoring this important ecosystem and fixing other deep-rooted problems in the region. In the wake of its abandonment, efforts to protect these native fisheries and the Pacific Northwest's energy future have been completely derailed.
There are a number of ways Congress can help protect these salmon, including providing federal funding for helpful programs, protecting the legal tools that help fight extinction, and encouraging regional entities to do their part to support salmon restoration efforts.