Nichols Natural Area
Our vision for the Nichols Natural Area: engage, educate, and inspire the diverse communities of the Columbia River Gorge to turn a former industrial site into vibrant riverfront habitat. Read more
Tire Chemicals and Salmon
For decades, researchers have puzzled over an alarming phenomenon in Seattle-area streams in the Puget Sound: a large proportion of adult coho salmon die before they get the chance to spawn. Then, in 2020, scientists pinpointed the pollutant responsible for the coho deaths: 6PPD-quinone (6PPD-q). Read more
“Fueling Controversy:” Port Project Seeks Public Funds
Fuel corporations at the Port of Columbia County should foot the bill for infrastructure upgrades. Read more
Seeking New Board Members
Columbia Riverkeeper’s board of directors oversees the organization’s goals and policies, finances, and public relations. This is a voluntary board where each member brings unique talents and interests. If you have a passion for clean water, climate action, and environmental justice—and time to devote to a nonprofit board—consider applying to join our talented board of directors. Read more
What’s NEXT?
1000 Friends of Oregon, Columbia Riverkeeper and mint farmer Mike Seely appealed two land use permits for a rail yard associated with NEXT Renewables’ proposed non-conventional diesel refinery at Port Westward, OR. Read more
Director’s Letter from 2024 Currents Newsletter
Do you dream of finding solutions to the climate crisis? How about slashing greenhouse gas pollution by challenging one of North America’s biggest fuel fuel infrastructure corporations? Columbia Riverkeeper turns your dreams into action—and results. Read more
Mid-Year Legal Updates
Columbia Riverkeeper believes that litigation is an important tool. Lawsuits complement our gritty grass-roots advocacy and savvy communications strategies to meaningfully improve water quality and river communities. Read more
Our first treaty: An interview with Columbia Riverkeeper’s Board President Emily Washines
Columbia Riverkeeper’s board president seeks to use her position to continue to honor the first treaty of the Yakama Nation with the land itself. Read more
Rising to the Challenge: Taking on the Gas Industry
Columbia Riverkeeper recently took our expertise and recommendations for fracked gas infrastructure to the Washington and Oregon public utility commissions—the state agencies that regulate gas utility companies—and achieved excellent results. Read more
History-Making (or Breaking) Decision for Hanford Cleanup
By Simone Anter (Jicarilla Apache and Yaqui), Staff Attorney & Hanford Program DirectorOriginally published in Columbia Riverkeeper “Currents” Issue 1, 2024. The other day I found myself in a high … Read more
Cool It! Dept. of Ecology tells Army Corps: make a better plan to cool the Lower Snake River
Four reservoirs on the Lower Snake River trap the sun’s heat, making the water too hot for salmon. Columbia Riverkeeper has been using science and the Clean Water Act to ratchet up pressure on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to reduce heat pollution caused by its dams. Read more
Rise to the Challenge: Advocate for a Just Transition
Extractivist attitudes have harnessed the energy of the Columbia in ways that have caused devastating harm to the river and people who depend on it. Our challenge: apply the principles of a just transition to a clean energy future to the Columbia Basin. Read more