Northwest Governors Announce Intent to Collaborate on Salmon Recovery Will Another Process Prosper or Peril?

October 9, 2020

Northwest Governors Announce Intent to Collaborate on Salmon Recovery Will Another Process Prosper or Peril?

Today, the four northwest governors announced their intent to establish a regional collaborative group of stakeholders and tribal sovereigns to investigate opportunities for comprehensive salmon recovery in the Columbia River Basin. This comes one day after the Bonneville Power Administration, Army Corps of Engineers, and Bureau of Reclamation finalizing their multi-year process of developing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Columbia River System Operations.

October 13, 2020

Our Fishing Heritage is at Risk: Will Our Grandchildren Catch Salmon in the Columbia River Basin?

“The Columbia River is the heart and soul of Oregon, it just is. It pumps through Oregon like the blood in your veins,” said Stevie Parsons, a long-time member, active volunteer, and National Wildlife Federation board member. Many of us throughout the northwest share the sentiment. I spoke to a few of our members to hear about their experiences fishing in the Columbia River Basin.Ultimately, all of their stories centered around one shared concern: whether the fish would persist long enough for future generations to be able to share their experiences.

November 3, 2020

Remove the Dams, Reel in the Profit

Fishing is one of the most popular outdoor recreation activities in the U.S., and a significant source of economic value. In Oregon, recreational angling supports over 12,000 jobs. generates $841 million in retail sales, and provides an economic output of over $1.4 billion. Unfortunately, the populations that support this vibrant economy are at risk of extinction. Salmon recovery isn't just about protecting our fish, it's about protecting our ability to fish in these waters.

December 2, 2020

Eugene Register-Guard: Jump Starting Salmon Recovery

Chris Hager is the executive director of the Association of Northwest Steelheaders. He was also appointed by Gov. Brown to serve on the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Advisory Committee and volunteers with the local chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. He recently published an opinion piece in the Eugene Register-Guard combatting misinformation about the impact sportfishing harvest have on wild endangered salmon populations. It was originally published on December 1, 2020 and is copied below for reference.

December 11, 2020

A Year in Review: Making Strides in 2020 with Your Dedicated Support

If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that our community of recreational anglers is resilient. Your overwhelming support for our campaigns and programs proved that, as a community, we can adapt to change, support one another from a safe distance, and push for bold conservation goals. Through it all, you made fighting for the survival of salmon and steelhead a priority.

December 18, 2020

The Elwha: A Roadmap for River Restoration Across the Northwest Region

The Glines Canyon and Elwha dams on the Elwha River limited salmon and steelhead access to a mere 5 miles of spawning habitat–resulting in the imminent extinction of the awe-inspiring, hefty Elwha chinook. The decades-long fight to remove these dams provides a road map for other dam removals in the region, potentially even the lower Snake River dams.

February 7, 2021

Idaho Rep. Simpson Introduces Historic Salmon Recovery Plan for the Columbia River Basin

Northwest Steelheaders has been waiting for this moment for over 48 years. Today, U.S. Representative Simpson (R-ID) announced a groundbreaking proposal for a comprehensive $33.5 billion infrastructure package to recover Columbia River salmon and steelhead by restoring a free-flowing lower Snake River.

February 22, 2021

Daily Astorian Opinion: Sea Change

Chris Hager is the executive director of the Association of Northwest Steelheaders. He was also appointed by Gov. Brown to serve on the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Advisory Committee and volunteers with the local chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. He recently com/opinion/letters/letter-sea-published an opinion piece in the Daily Astorian on February 20, 2021 highlighting the need for the recreational angling community to engage in Representative Simpson's historic effort to restore Snake River salmon and steelhead.