Columbia Riverkeeper's Executive Director, Brett VandenHeuvel, shares how our team of attorneys and community organizers are hard at work, responding to a flurry of federal actions to gut environmental and public health protections.
Standing up to Trump rollbacks
Thank you for supporting clean water. I hope you are doing well in these challenging times.
You may have seen the news that the Trump administration relaxed enforcement of environmental laws because of COVID-19. At the same time, federal agencies are pushing ahead to approve new fracked gas pipelines and oil pollution discharge permits on the
Columbia.
We believe that clean air and clean water matter in this time of crisis. Our work together cannot pause.
Columbia Riverkeeper’s team of attorneys and community organizers are hard at work, responding to a flurry of federal actions to gut environmental and public health protections.
- Taking on the Fossil Fuel Industry: In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the fossil fuel industry is full steam ahead trying to build massive fossil fuel infrastructure on the Columbia River. Working from home, Columbia Riverkeeper’s legal team is challenging permits for fracked gas pipelines and shipping terminals (picture composing Clean Water Act legal briefs while getting hit in the head with a nerf ball).
- Fighting for Salmon and Orcas: Federal agencies responsible for Columbia and Snake hydroelectric dams are pushing forward with critical decisions about the future of the Columbia and Snake River dams. The agencies produced yet another study claiming that salmon and orcas populations are fine and the lower four Snake River dams don’t hurt fish. Sadly, that’s not true. These iconic species are in grave danger. We only have until early April to lay the groundwork for a lawsuit.
- Standing Up for Clean Water: EPA proposes a unilateral rollback of Washington state’s limits on toxic pollution. We are working in solidarity with Tribal nations to stop the Trump administration’s illegal give-away to the biggest polluters.
- Demanding Cleanup at the World’s Most Toxic Site—Hanford: Earlier this year, the U.S. Dept. of Energy announced plans to scale-back cleanup at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. Now, the Trump administration is plowing ahead with a public comment period that will decide the fate of radioactive buildings at Hanford. Our response: hard-hitting legal comments to preserve Riverkeeper’s right to take the administration to court—and activating our members online to demonstrate strong support for Hanford cleanup.
Thank you for your commitment to clean water. I know these are difficult times. I hope you will support this work if you are able.
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