FERC order provides new deadlines for overdue fish passage
By Miles Johnson, Legal Director
Fish recovery efforts in the Lewis River took an important step forward recently, when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved new deadlines for PacifiCorp to build upstream and downstream fish passage at Lewis River dams that block salmon and steelhead from 57 miles of spawning and rearing habitat.
The Lewis River, which flows into the Columbia River at Woodland, Washington, has been the focus of salmon recovery efforts for decades. The Lewis River basin is the traditional territory of the Cowlitz and Yakama Tribes whose cultures and economies are tied to the healthy salmon runs. Columbia Riverkeeper is honored to work in solidarity with these Tribal governments to support full fish migration throughout the Lewis River.
FERC’s new deadlines are the result of an agreement among the Cowlitz and Yakama Tribes, Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, PacifiCorp, federal fisheries agencies, and NGOs. The agreement requires PacifiCorp to build three new fish passage facilities by June 2026, and one final facility by June 2032. FERC’s order is important because it gives PacifiCorp the regulatory surety the company needs to invest in these substantial construction projects that are essential for fish recovery in the Lewis River.
While this is a necessary step towards salmon recovery, PacifiCorp’s past behavior gives us cause for concern. During the first Trump administration, PacifiCorp reneged on its promises to Tribes and others to build these exact fish passage facilities—which could cost the company over $100 million. While FERC’s order puts PacifiCorp back on track to deliver fish passage, we have to wonder: will PacifiCorp try to break its promises again, with the support of a second Trump administration? Or will the power company finally do what it promised Tribes and others: restore the ability for salmon to migrate throughout the Lewis River?
Until the fish passage facilities are complete, Columbia Riverkeeper will continue working with our partners to hold PacifiCorp accountable and restore salmon in the Lewis River.