Columbia Riverkeeper

Big River Gathering
2024-11-21 18:30 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | WA
Join Columbia Riverkeeper for a fun, inspiring community event. The Big River Gathering will elevate your spirits and ground you in the enormous beauty, longevity, and power that is the Columbia River as we navigate trying times, together!
What: Big River Gathering
When: Thursday, November 21, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Where: The Ruins, 13 Railroad St., Hood River, Oregon
Featuring:

David Moskowitz and his extraordinary photography. Big River, David’s newest book, will be available for purchase!
Simone Anter, Staff Attorney & Hanford Program Director, Columbia Riverkeeper
Lorri Epstein, Water Quality Director, Columbia Riverkeeper
Lauren Goldberg, Executive Director, Columbia Riverkeeper
Miles Johnson, Legal Director, Columbia Riverkeeper

Cost: Free! The event is free and open to the public. Come enjoy free snacks and desserts. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase. Donations for Columbia Riverkeeper are welcome and encouraged.
RSVP: Due to space limitations, RSVP is required.

Come Celebrate! DEQ Cancels Zenith Hearings!
2024-11-19 18:00 - 21:00 | 350PDX Workspace, 3639 N Mississippi Avenue, 5000 N Willamette Blvd, Portland, OR
Big news: you spoke up and it worked! The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) just paused the air permitting process for Zenith Energy and canceled two public hearings scheduled for Nov. 19 and Dec. 4.

The change in plans is due to findings from DEQ’s unannounced inspection of Zenith’s facility on Nov. 13. The DEQ’s inspection focused on the McCall Oil dock, which Zenith illegally incorporated in 2021 to expand its operations—one of Zenith’s Legacy of Violations and Lies. According to an Oregonian article, the DEQ’s Air Quality Permit Manager Lisa Ball explained the inspection was prompted by questions from community members about Zenith’s operations that the DEQ couldn’t answer. Ball stated, “This is a complete result of the public process. We’re very proud of our community for bringing questions up that pushed us to investigate further.”

In the News:
Advocates “Cautiously Optimistic” About DEQ Decision to Delay Zenith Air Quality Permit, Portland Mercury, November 14, 2024
State puts hold on Zenith Energy’s controversial air permit process in surprise move, Oregonian, November 14, 2024

This is not the end of the Zenith saga, but is a clear sign that we have the attention of regulators.

Come Celebrate
Think you have nothing to do on 11/19 since the hearing was canceled? Think again! Join us for “Zenith On The Ropes,” a moment to come together, take a deep breath, and celebrate.
Tuesday, November 19th AT 6:00 p.m.
350PDX Workspace, 3639 N Mississippi Avenue MAP
Music. Speakers. Pizza. People. Learn about what this cancellation may mean for our region and Zenith.

Zenith Public Info Session with DEQ
2024-10-28 18:00 - 20:00 | Online
Public information meeting with Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
This is an opportunity for folks to ask DEQ questions about the Zenith proposal.
Please read the Question and Answer document ahead of time.

What's the Deal with New Nuclear?
2024-10-22 12:00 - 13:00 | WA
Save the date: Webinar on Tuesday, October 22, 12 to 1 p.m. Pacific Time
Columbia Riverkeeper invites you to explore the problems with “new” nuclear power, why it is not part of a just transition to a clean energy future, and why siting more nuclear power plants on the Columbia River should be a non-starter.
Our panelists include:

Leona Morgan (Diné), an Indigenous organizer who has been fighting nuclear colonialism since 2007.
M.V. Ramana, author of the new book Nuclear is not the Solution: The Folly of Atomic Power in the Age of Climate Change.
Joshua Frank, author of Atomic Days: The Untold Story of the Most Toxic Place in America.

Moderated by Kelly Campbell, Policy Director, Columbia Riverkeeper

Rumble on the River
2024-10-16 19:00 - 20:00 | WA
There is a Rumble on the River, and it’s coming from the Columbia River Estuary. Join us on October 16 at 7 p.m. for a virtual webinar to learn more about a major, generational error in the works that could impact the Columbia River that sustains all of us. Join Columbia Riverkeeper’s Dan Serres and Audrey Leonard, local farmers, and Barbara Bernstein as moderator to learn more about this issue and how you can engage.
At Port Westward, near Clatskanie, a Houston-based company called NEXT Renewables LLC Oregon is proposing to construct a major new refinery that would immediately become one of Oregon’s top greenhouse gas polluters. The refinery would be one of the largest of its kind in North America.
Sign Up to Attend the Rumble on the River
Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 7pm
Prefer not to RSVP? Join here at 7pm

Tell DEQ to Reject Refinery in Estuary
2024-10-08 18:00 - 20:00 | WA
Oregon just opened a public comment period on NEXT Renewable Fuels’ proposal to build a massive diesel refinery in the Columbia River Estuary. The refinery would be among the largest of its kind in America and one of the top greenhouse gas polluters in Oregon.
Many local residents and farmers who rely on clean water oppose the project. Oregon should listen to their concerns, but it has ignored them so far.
Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, from 6 to 8 p.m.
RSVP via Columbia Riverkeeper’s site to get reminders about the hearing.

Don’t want to RSVP? Use this link to attend the virtual public hearing.

Toppling Fossil Fuel Giants
2024-09-27 18:00 - 21:00 | WA
Stories of Community Triumph,
A night with Tennessee Rep. Justin J. Pearson

Join PNW activists and organizations as we host Tennessee State Representative Justin J. Pearson to learn about his community’s triumph against the Byhalia Connection Pipeline project in Southwest Memphis. Hear from local environmental justice advocates about past victories in our region and the fight against Zenith Energy currently underway in Portland right now.
Toppling Fossil Fuel Giants: Stories of Community Triumph
An Evening with Tennessee State Representative Justin J. Pearson
September 27th – Doors open at 6 p.m.
Augustana Lutheran Church, 2710 NE 14th Ave. Portland, Oregon 97212
Register Here: bit.ly/topplingFFgiants
Tennessee State Representative Justin Pearson will be joined on stage by Oregon State Rep. Khanh Pham, Allie Rosenbluth from Oil Change International, Karlen Yallup and Elijah Cetas from the Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission, Kate Murphy from Columbia Riverkeeper, and Nick Caleb from Breach Collective.
Get your free tickets here. Registration is encouraged; there will be overflow room but unregistered guests cannot be guaranteed a seat. Registration will be available at the door if seats remain.
We hope you will join us in gathering with community to celebrate the power we can wield when we come together. And shoutout to the PDX NAACP for bringing Representative Pearson out to Portland! This will be a weekend that we remember.

Cleanup at Nichols Natural Area
2024-09-21 09:30 - 11:30 | Nichols Natural Area
Community River Cleanup at Nichols Natural Area
Gather your friends and family and give back to the Columbia River. Please join Columbia Riverkeeper for a river cleanup at the Nichols Natural Area near the Hood River Waterfront.

After a busy summer by the water, now is the perfect time to join together and take action towards creating a cleaner and healthier river. This is a family friendly event but children should be accompanied by an adult. We hope you can join us!

WHEN: Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Nichols Natural Area, in front of the Hampton Inn, near the Hood River pedestrian bridge.

DIRECTIONS: From Downtown Hood River, go north on Second Street and cross over I-84. Turn right on Riverside Drive followed by a right on N First St. Nichols Natural Area is in front of the Hampton Inn (1 Nichols Pkwy).

This event is free and open to the public.

Before you Register:
Please click here to read our Liability Waiver – You will be asked to check a box acknowledging you read waiver during registration.

El Grito
2024-09-15 15:00 - 18:00 | Rhinegarden Park, White Salmon, WA, 98672, United States
Celebrate El Grito in White Salmon (Mexican Independence and Hispanic Heritage Month) on September 15 from 3pm to 6pm at Rhinegarden Park in White Salmon, Washington.
El Grito represents one of the most emblematic Mexican civic celebrations. It remembers the moment Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, priest of the town of Dolores, rang the parish bell on the morning of September 16, 1810, and called on Mexicans to rise up against the Spanish crown and fight for independence.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States at this fun event, and be sure to stop by the Columbia Riverkeeper table to play our fish identification game and learn about the nearby Superfund site at Bradford Island.

Veterans for Peace Golden Rule Project
2024-09-15 - 2024-09-16 | Riverplace Marina Public Dock, 1500 S Harbor Way, Portland, OR, 97201, United States
Join us in welcoming the Golden Rule! See the Golden Rule as it sails into Portland accompanied by “Mosquito Fleet” and more! This is a great chance to see the Golden Rule and greet the crew as they arrive. After, at 2 p.m. there will be a Peace Party and picnic in Tom McCall Park (98 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97204) with music, dancing, and speeches.

The Golden Rule is coming to Portland and Columbia Riverkeeper is joining them along the Columbia!
The Golden Rule is a project of Veterans For Peace, aiming to advance opposition to nuclear weapons and war, and to do so in a dramatic fashion. The Golden Rule, is the original peace ship that set sail in 1958 to stop nuclear weapons tests in the Marshall Islands. Today, the ship sails to show that nuclear abolition is possible and that bravery and tenacity can overcome militarism.
In support of a nuclear-free future, we will be joining the Golden Rule to highlight our opposition to Small Modular Nuclear Reactors and our advocacy for a clean up of the Hanford Nuclear Site that is thorough and just. Watch the ship sail into Portland on Sunday 9/15 @ 12pm and come to the closing potluck on Monday 9/16 @ 6pm and listen to speakers including Columbia Riverkeeper’s Policy Director, Kelly Campbell.
Monday September 16, 6 p.m. Multnomah Friends Meeting Social Hall / Kitchen: 4312 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97215
The Hanford site, located in Richland, WA is one of the most polluted sites in the Western hemisphere. Hanford was part of the “Manhattan Project,” where plutonium was produced for most of the sixty thousand weapons built for the U.S. nuclear arsenal.
For a full list of Golden Rule activities check out the Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility event calendar.

Vancouver Peace and Justice Fair
2024-09-14 02:00 - 08:00 | Esther Short Park, 605 Esther St., Vancouver, WA, 98660, United States
Join Columbia Riverkeeper at the Vancouver Peace and Justice Fair on September 14, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This fair builds community among grassroots peace and justice groups in Southwest Washington and explores the social justice issues facing our community. Be sure to stop by the Columbia Riverkeeper table to learn more about pollution at Bradford Island in the Bonneville Dam area and play our fish identification game!

Columbia Riverkeeper Benefit Concert
2024-09-10 12:00 | Congregation Beth Israel, 1972 NW Flanders St, Portland, OR, 97214, United States
Album Release Party & Benefit Concert!

Thrice Burned Forest – album release party, benefit concert and livestream

A live performance of works from the much-anticipated new portrait album by Columbia Riverkeeper composer-in-residence Deena T. Grossman. This concert & live stream event includes the World Premiere of Davening, featuring members of the Oregon Symphony, alongside the “brilliant, haunting, and beautiful” (Oregon ArtsWatch) work for six flutes (including piccolo, alto and bass) Thrice Burned Forest. All proceeds benefit Columbia Riverkeeper.
Grossman showcases her signature balance of cultural and natural references to resplendent effect in this lush and melodic music, touching on themes of cyclical connection, deep time, death and renewal, intergenerational sharing, and sense of place.
This event is free and open to the public.
Suggested donations and any other proceeds benefit Columbia Riverkeeper.
This event will also be available via LIVE STREAM:
bethisrael-pdx.org/worship/watch-services-live/

Atomic Bamboozle Online Film Showing and Webinar
2024-09-01 - 2024-09-30 | WA
Atomic Bamboozle
Sierra Club Nuclear Free Film Series
Atomic Bamboozle online film showing and webinar: Don’t miss the free online showing of the film, “Atomic Bamboozle: The False Promise of a Nuclear Renaissance” featuring Columbia Riverkeeper’s Executive Director, Lauren Goldberg.
The film is available free online, thanks to the Sierra Club Grassroots Network Nuclear Free Team, from September 1 through September 30, and concludes with a webinar on Monday, September 30, 5-7 pm PST.

Hanford Happy Hour
2024-08-29 17:00 - 19:00 | Lollipop Shoppe, 736 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR, 97214, United States
Join Columbia Riverkeeper for our Hanford Happy Hour, a time to connect about the Hanford Nuclear Site. Learn about Riverkeeper’s advocacy efforts, recent clean up updates, and how you can get more involved. Snacks will be provided.

Hanford Public Meeting - Hood River
2024-07-11 10:30 - 12:00 | Hood River Hotel, 102 Oak St, Hood River, OR, 97031, United States
As part of the 90-day public comment period, the TPA agencies holding three regional public meetings. Columbia Riverkeeper will be there early to provide additional information and talking points, for those interested in asking questions. There is a virtual option but we highly recommend attending in person.

July 9, 5:30p.m. PT, Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Drive, Richland, WA 99352. You may participate virtually using Microsoft Teams.
July 10, 5:30p.m. PT, DoubleTree Hotel, 415 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501. You may participate virtually using Microsoft Teams.
July 11, 5:30p.m. PT, Hood River Hotel, 102 Oak St, Hood River, OR 97031. You may participate virtually using Microsoft Teams.

Note: If you are interested in carpooling from Portland to Hood River or Olympia, please contact Dan Serres, (503) 890-2441.

Hanford Public Meeting - Olympia
2024-07-10 10:30 - 12:00 | DoubleTree Hotel, 415 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA, 98501, United States

Hanford Public Meeting - Richland
2024-07-09 10:30 - 12:00 | Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Drive, Richland, WA, 99352, United States

BOOK TALK 6/18 IN PDX
2024-06-18 11:30 - 13:30 | Empirical Theater at OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR, 97214, United States
Big River: Resilience and Renewal in the Columbia Basin with photographer David Moskowitz and author Eileen Delehanty Pearkes

Experience a presentation of the new book “Big River: Resilience and Renewal in the Columbia Basin,” where photographer David Moskowitz, author Eileen Delehanty Pearkes, and special guests will showcase a multimedia journey along the Columbia River from source to sea, illuminating its natural wonders and human stories, while also highlighting the challenges facing the region and the people working on sustainable solutions.
Pay What You Can (sliding scale)
$5 suggested donation

Pressure FERC to deny the License for the Goldendale Pump Storage Development
2024-05-16 11:30 - 13:30 | The Goldendale Masonic Lodge, 210 South Columbus Ave., Goldendale, WA
Join us for an in-person local forum to learn more about the proposed development, the opposition, and what you can do to take action.
Hear from local community members and experts about the proposed development, ask questions, and take action. Speakers include: Bronsco Jim Jr., Ka-milt-pah (Rock Creek) Band of the Yakama Nation; Eric Strid, Columbia Gorge Climate Action Network; and Simone Anter, Columbia Riverkeeper. The forum is sponsored by Friends of the White Salmon River, Columbia Gorge Climate Action Network, and Communidades.
