Four Lower Snake River dams make it hard for salmon to reach spawning grounds and return to the ocean. Supporters say removing (breaching) the dams is the most effective way to restore salmon runs while replacing power, irrigation, and shipping services. Winning means a federal plan and timeline to breach the dams, plus funded replacement infrastructure and shared decision-making with Tribes.
Why this matters now
Wild salmon runs have crashed, and that affects fishing, ecosystems, and the people and businesses that rely on healthy rivers. It also raises treaty-rights issues, since treaty promises depend on real, working fisheries.
This cause aims to restore salmon runs while also planning for what communities use the dams for today, like electricity, irrigation, and river transportation.