Resources:
Media Advisory:
Contacts:
Eric Block, Columbia Riverkeeper, (541) 399-4232, eric@columbiariverkeeper.org
Andrea Tulee, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, (503) 828-9229, atulee@critfc.org
Invitation to Visit Sacred Site of Pushpum
Join us May 8 for a rare opportunity to see the site of the proposed Goldendale Pumped Storage development that threatens to destroy sacred Tribal lands
AGENDA:
- 10:30 a.m. Invocation and welcome
- 11:00 a.m. Elected officials and cultural leader speakers
- 12:00 p.m. Complimentary salmon lunch with pre-registration via Eventbrite
- 1:00 p.m. Cultural and traditional tribal social dances
- 2:30 p.m. Event concludes
Goldendale, Wash. — Known to the Yakama Nation as “mother of all roots,” Pushpum is a sacred site for Yakama Nation ceremonies, legends, and gathering of traditional roots and medicines. Rye Development proposes to permanently destroy Pushpum by building the Goldendale Pumped Storage development, the largest such development proposal in the Pacific Northwest.
The Washington Department of Ecology and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) both concluded that the development of Goldendale Pumped Storage would have “unique significant and unavoidable adverse impacts on Tribal communities and members.” Yet they still recommended that the development move forward. FERC Commissioners approved the final license for the development in January 2026, though opposition continues.
Now, for the first time, Yakama Nation has secured landowner approval to hold an event near the proposed pumped-storage site. Yakama Nation, led by members of the Rock Creek Band, is leading a public event on Friday, May 8 that will include speakers and ceremonies. Members of the media are encouraged to attend; please respond to this email so we can help provide logistical support.
Note: Portions of the event will be livestreamed, and media assets will be made available for those who cannot attend.
WHERE: 1140 Goldendale Goodnoe Hills Road #1032, Goldendale, WA 98620
WHEN: Friday, May 8, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to approximately 2:30 p.m.
REGISTRATION:
- Media can register by responding to this email.
- Public registration is through this Eventbrite link.
About Columbia Riverkeeper: Columbia Riverkeeper is a nonprofit organization with over 20,000 members and supporters that works to protect the water quality of the Columbia River and all life connected to it, from the headwaters to the Pacific Ocean. Learn more.
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Pushpum has Nurtured Life in this Region since Time Immemorial.
Known to the Yakama Nation as “mother of all roots,” Pushpum is a sacred site for Yakama Nation ceremonies, legends, and gathering of traditional roots and medicines. As a natural seed bank, this site contains rich biodiversity in plant and animal life that once removed can never be fully restored.
The project area is within ceded lands of Yakama Nation, and the area has historically been used by the Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation, and the Nez Perce Tribe for hunting, traditional gathering, fishing, camping, and traditional ceremonies.
The Threat
Rye Development proposes to permanently destroy Pushpum by building the Goldendale Pumped Storage development, the largest such development proposal in the Pacific Northwest. Developers cite the need for “clean energy” to justify the destruction of these irreplaceable Tribal resources. A recent High Country News article explained: “The Yakama Nation has been outspoken in its support for renewable energy development, including solar and small-scale hydro projects. But not at Pushpum; it’s sacred to the Kah-milt-pah people, one of the bands within the Yakama Nation, who still regularly use the site.”
This is environmental injustice, not clean energy. We have the opportunity to build a new and truly clean energy transition—one that breaks from past harmful extractive practices, one that does not exploit Indigenous communities for the benefit of the majority, and one that does not come at the cost of sacred and irreplaceable resources. It’s not clean energy if it destroys Tribal cultural resources.
State and Federal Environmental reviews acknowledged the adverse impacts.
The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) both concluded that the development of Goldendale Pumped Storage would have “unique significant and unavoidable adverse impacts on Tribal communities and members.” Yet they still recommended that the development move forward.
The Environmental Review conducted by FERC was especially problematic as it was released without comprehensive Tribal consultation with Yakama Nation.
Rye Development’s proposal destroys environmental and cultural values.
For Yakama Nation, the development threatens food sources and the ways of life that have sustained families since time immemorial. Destroying this sacred site obliterates a natural seed bank and threatens wetlands, groundwater, and wildlife that will devastate the biodiversity of the area. Watch the trailer to the award winning documentary, These Sacred Hills, following members of the Kah-miltpa (Rock Creek) Band of the Yakama Nation as they confront the Goldendale Pumped Storage development threatening their sacred mountain, Pushpum.
Watch Columbia Riverkeeper’s webinar with two Kah-miltpa (Rock Creek) band members: Yakama Nation Tribal Councilman Jeremy Takala and CRITFC Watershed Department Manager Elaine Harvey.
This Development Doesn’t Add Up
The ill-conceived location racks up development costs; slows down our green energy transition; and is not necessary to meet the region’s decarbonization goals. The environmental and cultural value of Pushpum is incalculable. Destroying these lands would be an irrecoverable blow to the biodiversity that benefits everyone.
What’s Next?
Despite the lack of comprehensive consultation and the trivialization of cultural resource destruction through inadequate proposed mitigation, FERC Commissioners approved the final license for the development in January 2026. Columbia Riverkeeper and Yakama Nation both filed requests for rehearing, which were denied in March 2026. Now, a case may be filed in federal court.
Columbia Riverkeeper and Yakama Nation continue a legal appeal of the water quality permit issued by the state of Washington. Oral arguments were heard at the Washington Court of Appeals in February 2026.
