All About H.R. 3144

All About H.R. 3144

H.R.3144 – To provide for operations of the Federal Columbia River Power System pursuant to a certain operation plan for a specified period of time, and for other purposes.

Sponsors:

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-WA, District 5

Rep Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-WA, District 3

Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-WA, District 4

Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-OR, District 5

Rep. Greg Walden, R-OR, District 2

What does this bill mean?

This bill directs the federal agencies (Bureau of Reclamation, Army Corps of Engineers, and Bonneville Power Administration) to ignore Judge Michael Simon’s recent attempts to improve salmon recovery and instead rely on a federal plan that was rejected by the courts in 2016 as doing too little for salmon.  This was the 5th time the federal agencies plan was rejected.  The bill directs the federal agencies to continue using this ineffective, illegal plan until 2022.  It will most likely cause the extinction of some or all of the endangered Snake River salmon and steelhead species.

What can I do?

Make your voice heard!  Contact State Legislators, U.S. Senators, and Governors of Pacific Northwest States (WA, OR, ID) and let them know that they should NOT be supporting this anti-salmon legislation.  You can also contact your local Public Utility District Commissioners.