NW tribes push for removal of Snake River dams

Northwest tribes continue their push to remove dams along the Snake River with a series of events held throughout the region in recent weeks.

The events were held in Olympia, Portland, Pasco, Spokane, Lewiston, and Seattle.

RELATED: Biden calls for ‘abundant’ salmon populations, directs agencies to honor tribal treaty rights

“We’re here because the Biden administration needs to understand. This is a majority opinion: Breach those dams, save the salmon, and restore our relationship with the Snake River. That’s what we want the Biden administration to do,” Judith LeBlanc recently said at an event in Lewiston, Idaho.

LeBlanc is the executive director of the Native Organizers Alliance. The organization serves as a national network to mobilize Indigenous people around political issues.

This has been a years-long battle. Supporters of removing the dams say it’s the only way to save the salmon that rely on the waterway.

Opponents say the dams are still used for energy and agriculture.

An update is expected at the end of the month on the court case involving the dams.

RELATED: Federal report recommends removing four Lower Snake River dams to protect salmon

Northwest Public Broadcasting's Lauren Patterson has the full story here.