New Momentum Builds for Idaho Salmon Recovery
However, recent activity has not only renewed hopes of restoring the lower Snake River to a free-flowing river and saving endangered salmon and steelhead, but has signaled that “The times they are a-changing.”
Loon Outdoors: Building Sustainable Fly Fishing Products & Giving Back to Our Rivers
Loon Outdoors is a business that believes in rivers and fish, believes in being stewards of the outdoors, and gives back to like-minded organizations like Idaho Rivers United. This family-owned business uses a methodical approach to create quality products that are safe for the environment, designing products to make your day on the water spectacular.
IRU 27th Annual Auction Recap
Idaho Rivers United’s 27th Annual Auction for the Rivers concluded last Friday and we are immensely grateful for the support of our members and partners!
Press Release: Snake River: Conservation & Fishing Groups Agree to Pause Litigation, Discuss Long-Term, Comprehensive Solution to Aid Struggling Salmon
Portland, OR – Earthjustice, on behalf of a coalition of fishing and conservation groups, today joined with Biden administration agencies, the State of Oregon and the Nez Perce Tribe to seek a pause until next summer in litigation challenging the latest federal plan for hydropower operations on the Snake and Columbia Rivers. The request for a stay includes an agreement for specific dam operations in 2022. If the Court grants the stay, these parties have committed to use the time to work together to develop and implement a comprehensive, long-term solution that could resolve the long-running litigation over dam operations in National Wildlife Federation v. National Marine Fisheries Service.
Press Release: Fishing, recreation advocates topple critical Trump-era Clean Water Act federal power grab
Fishing and recreation advocates won a significant victory for clean water when a federal district court threw out (vacated) a critical Trump Clean Water Act rule. The order from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California restores state and Tribal authority to ensure federally permitted activities in rivers and lakes comply fully with state and tribal law.
Can we bring coldwater life back into the Priest River?
With its incredible characteristics, along with an assemblage of wild native fish species prized by anglers, one would think that the Priest River would be a destination for anglers and paddlers both near and far. However, low stream flows and warm temperatures have made the river unsuitable for coldwater-dependent fish. Can the river recover?
Idaho's 2021 salmon and steelhead returns are abysmal. What is happening?
Columbia Basin steelhead returns are the lowest ever recorded since salmon run counts began at Bonneville Dam in 1945. A desperate attempt was made to capture a few sockeye and bring them to Idaho fish hatcheries because returns were so low. What is happening?
As Year End Approaches, Consider an Investment in Idaho’s Rivers
You’ve provided security for yourself in the future, now you can plan to provide security for Idaho’s rivers. Your retirement plan is a simple, tax-efficient way to invest in Idaho’s rivers, helping secure the future of our fisheries and waterways.
Working to Protect Wild and Scenic Values in the Owhyee Canyonlands with Ecoflight
IRU staff and several other organizations and members of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes recently had the opportunity to tour the Owyhee canyonlands by air, courtesy of Ecoflight. This vast sagebrush steppe and remote river canyon covers parts of Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon and is home to over 600,000 acres of Wilderness and 324 miles of Wild and Scenic rivers. It’s Wild and Scenic Values are currently threatened by proposed flight operation changes over the canyons.
Board Highlight: Pete Deluca, "How I got into IRU and River Conservation"
IRU Board Member, Pete DeLuca, shares his story on how he fell in love with Idaho’s rivers.
“When I was 15 years old, I had my first white water experience….We paddled Navy surplus rubber rafts and had two guides (rowing team members from Harvard). The first two days, I was terrified. But by the time we reached Shoup, I was hooked on whitewater.”
Regional Conservation Groups Resolve Litigation Over Water Quality Impacts Caused by the Hells Canyon Complex
The settlement forces the state of Oregon to develop a plan to limit dangerous methylmercury pollution and accelerate critical remediation of water temperature impacts at the Hells Canyon Complex on the Snake River.
Drought and Hot Water Spell Trouble for Native Fish
A low winter snowpack that melted off more rapidly than normal, followed by extreme temperatures, has left much of the state hot and dry. Our river systems and lakes are no exception, with this summer’s warm water conditions hurting native fish populations.
Air Force Overflight Expansion a Concern for the Owyhee Canyonlands
The Mountain Home Air Force Base is proposing changes to military overflight operations in the Owyhee canyonlands of Idaho, Oregon, and Nevada. The impacts of these changes on the people, wildlife, and character of this remarkable region would be significant and violate the Wild & Scenic protections for the area.
Simpson's Columbia Basin Initiative contains central tenets of Democratic Party, yet Democratic leadership remains silent
Environmental restoration, social justice, clean-energy measures, and endangered species recovery. These sound like pillars of the Democratic platform, yet it’s an Idaho Republican championing these efforts in the Pacific Northwest.
IRU Member Highlight: Doug Zamzow
Meet IRU Member Doug Zamzow (IRU’s 2020 Member of the Year award recipient!). Doug has been a member of Idaho Rivers United since 2004, and has been an advocate for our rivers for decades.
Brewshed Alliance: Welcoming our newest member, Mother Earth Brewing Company!
Meet our newest Brewshed Alliance member: Mother Earth Brewing!
The Forest Service responds to conservation and community organizations' call for a new environmental review of the Stibnite Gold Project.
The public and conservation organizations pushed for a new environmental review of Perpetua Resources’ (formerly Midas Gold) Stibnite Gold Project after several major changes were made to the DEIS. The USFS responded, and will conduct a new Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, pushing further out the project timeline and offering new hope for the East Fork South Fork Salmon River.
UNITED: Streamtech Boats partners with IRU, builds boats, art that fuel conservation
Streamtech Boats was started by Link Jackson, who wanted to use his passions for boat building and art to make a difference for our rivers and fish. Streamtech Boats decided to partner with IRU, using their platform to support conservation initiatives and further awareness of our imperiled salmon and steelhead.
Small increase in Chinook runs are a far cry from recovery - despite what legislators may say.
Eastern Washington legislators are using small fluctuations in spring Chinook to tout that dams and fish can coexist, but these arguments miss the reality that salmon populations are still far below recovery goals and on a downward trend.
IRU, Partners, File Injunction to Increase Spill and Lower Reservoir Levels to Aid Endangered Snake River Salmon
Earthjustice, representing Idaho Rivers United and several of our partner conservation organizations, filed an injunction today to increase spill over dams in the Lower Snake River and Columbia River, and to lower reservoir levels to aid juvenile migrating salmon.