Letter thanking Governor Inslee’s call for non-dam alternative in Chehalis Basin

Letter thanking Governor Inslee’s call for non-dam alternative in Chehalis Basin

Conservation Northwest / Aug 18, 2020 / Cascades to Olympics

We appreciate Governor Jay Inslee’s consideration for the concerns of Tribes, local residents, and conservation and recreation groups in calling for a non-dam alternative to flood reduction in the Chehalis Basin.

August 18th, 2020
The Honorable Jay Inslee
Governor of Washington State
P.O. Box 40002
Olympia, Washington 98504
ELECTRONIC COPY (PDF)

 

Dear Governor Inslee:

I am writing to express appreciation for your recent letters calling for an approach to flood mitigation, habitat restoration, and salmon recovery in the Chehalis Basin that benefits residents of the entire Basin and does not include a massive new dam. Furthermore, as both a resident of Lewis County and a local conservation professional, I am encouraged by your awareness of the challenges in the region and that you are seeking long-term solutions that will improve flood resiliency without doing irreparable damage to our fragile environment.

Your action supports the concerns of the Indigenous peoples of the Chehalis Basin. We owe you a debt of gratitude for using your voice to demand greater engagement with local Indigenous communities throughout this process. In addition, your action supports the numerous residents of the area like myself, as well as conservation and recreation groups that have voiced concerns that the proposed dam will adversely impact one of our state’s greatest remaining salmon rivers and a habitat corridor critical for wildlife in southwest Washington.

Conservation Northwest is collaborating with Tribes, residents, and restoration professionals to provide technical advice on non-dam alternatives and will provide the results of this work to your staff. We look forward to hearing more from you and your office on ways the State will support sustainable and resilient non-dam alternatives in the Chehalis Basin.

Thank you for your leadership on this important issue.

Sincerely,

Brian Stewart M.E.S.
Cascades to Olympics Program Coordinator
Conservation Northwest
Onalaska, Washington

Find more background information and READ OUR STATEMENT on Governor Inslee’s call for a non-dam alternative, or learn more about our CASCADES TO OLYMPICS PROGRAM.
Near the proposed Chehalis Dam site in southwest Washington. Photo: Shane Anderson, Pacific Rivers