Big Win for Clean Water: Grand Coulee, Chief Joseph Dams to Reduce Pollution
by Cole Goodwin
White Salmon, WA, July 20, 2023– After nearly a decade of litigation, between Columbia Riverkeeper and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation, environmental advocates are celebrating a big win: As of May of 2023 all ten federally-owned dams on the Columbia and Lower Snake Rivers have Clean Water Act permits mandating a reduction in discharges of hot water, oil, and toxic-chemical pollution.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued Clean Water Act NPDES permits mandating the reduction of hot water, oil, and toxic-chemical pollution from Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams on the Columbia River in northeastern Washington.
The permits grant the state of Washington and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation the authority to require the Army Corps and BoR to conduct studies and implement measures aimed at mitigating the issue of high river temperatures that jeopardize the survival of salmon and steelhead populations
The lawsuits filed by Columbia Riverkeeper in 2019 and 2016 against the Army Corps and BoR respectively, forced the EPA's hand to issue these crucial Clean Water Act permits for both Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams, signifying a significant step forward in the protection of the region's water resources.
"This is a crucial victory for the iconic salmon population in the Columbia, which relies heavily on cool, clean water. It's high time that federal agencies take responsibility for reducing illegal pollution from dams - no entity should be above the law," stated Lauren Goldberg, Executive Director of Columbia Riverkeeper.
For years, the Columbia and Lower Snake rivers have been plagued by oil spills and excessive heat pollution caused by the large federal dams. A recent incident involving the Army Corps' Little Goose dam resulted in over 300 gallons of oil being released into the rivers.
The Clean Water Act permits, issued by the EPA, now compel the Army Corps and BoR to take action to reduce heat pollution and improve oil spill control at their dams in order to safeguard water quality.
While the issuance of these robust Clean Water Act permits marks a significant milestone in promoting clean water within the Columbia River basin, much work lies ahead.
"Columbia Riverkeeper will remain actively involved to ensure full compliance with the permits by the Army Corps and BoR, and to push for effective solutions that enhance water quality and the survival of salmon," asserted Legal Director Miles Johnson.
Columbia Riverkeeper's cases against the Army Corps and BoR were spearheaded by Staff Attorney Simone Anter and Executive Director Lauren Goldberg, along with the legal representation of the esteemed firm, Kampmeier and Knutsen.
With these newly acquired Clean Water Act permits in hand, the protection and preservation of the Columbia and Lower Snake rivers' ecosystem have taken a substantial leap forward, signifying a momentous achievement for environmental advocacy and the imperative call to protect our precious water resources.
For more information about water advocacy in the Columbia River Gorge visit: columbiariverkeeper.org.
