— from Senator Kevin Ranker —
Like you, I was deeply saddened watching Tahlequah’s display of grief as she pushed her dead calf for days. Thousands of you have contacted me with your grave concerns regarding the dangerous predicament our resident orcas face, asking… what we are going to do about it?
In the following short video, I cover some of the key actions I believe we must take now if we are going to save these incredible creatures.
Know that, as a member of the task force responsible for developing recommendations to save our Southern Resident Killer Whales, I am totally committed to taking bold actions that will truly make a difference now. We must base our actions in science, but we must not delay.
Our values compel us to do whatever is necessary. We must put politics aside and we must act boldly, now. Extinction is not an option.
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One thing we can all do personally is to stop eating Chinook salmon. I hear there’s going to be a huge run of Fraser sockeye salmon this year.
Good suggestion re Chinook salmon.
I very much like Senator Ranker’s language. It’ll take that kind of resolve, supported by action on the ground and a continual reference to science along with a groundswell of support to convincingly move the powers that be.
In addition, legal recourse re “emergency” temporary injunctive relief should be an aspect of the the strategy as well.
More so now than I can recall in recent memory do we need to pull out all the stops and review the rules by which we’ve played up til now. The threat is so very real and has so very much increased since the election and it only stands to worsen from here. Hence, we need a new, more aggressive game-plan.
Please let us know how more we can help.
I’m totally in favor of doing everything necessary to save the whales. How about raising deer for protein in the human diet as they do in New Zealand? There certainly is an abundant supply in the islands. Tall fences are needed, among other modifications, but it’s possible.
Kevin,
Not many people want to see the Orca disappear. So here are a few questions that might bear on the issue for you.
Why is it that in British Columbia, catching Chinook is just fine (with a few restrictions)? At the same time Sockeye fishing in BC has been closed to sports fishing (just reopened) while at the time of the closure gill netting on the Frasier River was in full swing. Wild coho must be released while catching hatchery coho are allowed. This does not make since to me if the Orca is a concern.
I wonder what the Washington State fishing regulations say about Chinook fishing. Are Chinook protected? Are our State officals (fish managers) thinking about fish stocks or Orcas?
What is going on with commercial fishing regulations? Are Chinook protected?
What about Indian fishing regulation? Are the Chinook protected?
Seems BC is concerned more about wild coho and not so much for Chinook. Does this indicated that the Chinook stocks are doing well in BC? Is BC even thinking of the whales? Is there any coordination between BC and Washington State?
Is protecting Chinook really the right answer? Or should we be protecting all salmon? Do the Orcas really prefer only Chinook? If so, can an Orca really tell the difference between a Chinook and say a coho as they race after their prey? Was the research “proving” their preference for Chinook done when Chinook were running in our area? What do the Orcas eat when the Chinook are not present? Maybe getting out a full explanation on this subject would make some sense.
In my view, taking on the task of getting everyone on the same page would be an important step, if we are to save these animals.
To add to the sports fishing picture I had a chance to reading a copy of the Washington State regulations. They divide salmon fishing into four seasons each with different rules.
For July, the daily limit is 2 salmon plus two sockeye. Chum and wild Chinook must be released.
For August and a bit of Sept, the daily limit is 2 salmon plus two sockeye. Only 1 Chinook may be retained. Chum must be released.
For the rest of September, the daily limit is 2 salmon plus two sockeye. Chinook and Chum must be released.
For Jan to April 15, The daily limit is 1. Coho and wild Chinook must be released.
Wonder what the commercial fishery regulations look like and how many fish they take.
From Damsense.org:
“Endangered Snake River salmon and Southern Resident Orcas can’t wait for long-drawn out efforts. And they don’t have to because the US Army Corps of Engineers is committed to following the guidance in the current Summary, 2002 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) as a framework for its actions. The EIS includes a comprehensive analysis of alternatives for improving salmon passage. Dam breaching was identified as the alternative that would provide the highest probability of meeting salmon survival and recovery criteria (see page 25). The US Army Corps took 7 years to complete this report at a cost of $33 million. The Corps’ own conclusion: dam breaching is the best way to recover Snake River salmon, a conclusion that remains valid today. The evidence is clear, to save money, save salmon and save orcas, breaching must start this year. This will also save tax money and save our BPA.
Lack of regional political leadership to even ask the Corps to breach. And, a misguided belief by the public and agencies that further studies and a new Environmental Impact Statement will solve the problem when in fact all it does is kick the can down the road for at least another 5 years. 25 years have been wasted on studies and failed attempts to mitigate for the damage inflicted by these four dams. Instead, strong pressure on the Corps, BPA and the Northwest delegation is urgently needed now before it is too late.
Breaching the lower Snake River dams would be a fast action. It would provide the best and quickest opportunity to increase the salmon in time to give the orcas the salmon they need to survive, while giving other habitat restoration efforts their needed time to work to recover salmon, and, in turn, help recover the orcas.
The four Lower Snake River Dams are man-made structures with a finite lifetime. They are part of the problematic aging U.S. infrastructure that requires more money for maintenance every year. These dams will be breached in the future due to the economics. They are economically unsustainable now. It’s simply a matter of time before the federal agencies admit it. So, the question is will salmon and Southern Resident Orcas still be around when the dams come down, or will it be too late? Extinction is forever. The dams are not.”
Great input Norris.
Let’s break this down into immediate action!
1. Many are not qualified to know if what you say is right. (It sure sounds like you’re on point).
2. Some with expertise and specific knowledge can at least corroborate and verify if what you say is correct…THEY should step forward now, if they haven’t already, and meet with Sen Ranker and reach out to the community. We can’t let “influence” work against the Orcas!
3. If you’re right, then all pressure should be brought to bear on breaking any resistance. Legal, political, and citizen protest, etc.
—breach the Dam. Are the there “timely” alternatives? If not, then it’s either the Orcas or Profit / Inconvenience to business or communities.
If breaching the Dam is the only REAL option that will work, then what are we waiting for?
Who is standing in the way? Name names!
Focused and intense pressure now.
Hello, Chris,
I am no expert on the Lower Snake River Dam Breaching, but did speak with a number of them in 2017, when I helped bring a screening of the documentary Dam Nation (Patagonia Films, damnationfilm.com/) to Orcas.
In my last post, I quoted are from damsense.org, a website developed by Jim Waddell, who had a 35-year career with the Army Corps of Engineers as a civil engineer. It is a rich, clear-eyed, deeply educational resource for understanding the issues around breaching the Snake River Dams. I think you will find it very useful in answering the questions you pose, by folks who are indeed experts and have been focusing on this issue for many, many years, and from many angles.
I also had conversations with Sharon Grace, Esq. of the Southern Resident Killer Whale Chinook Salmon Initiative(https://srkwcsi.org/)on Friday Harbor, who wrote the following to me about the opposition:
“A big difference between the lower Snake River dams and other federal dams is that the LSR dams are backed by three powerful, well-funded industry lobbying entities—Pacific Northwest Waterways Association (PNWA) https://www.pnwa.net/about/members/, Northwest RiverPartners (NWRP) https://nwriverpartners.org/members-and-board, and Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association (CSRIA) https://www.csria.org/who-we-are/.
The Columbia River dams provide economic benefit to the nation and the region, while the lower Snake River dams deprive the region and nation of economic benefit. One of the primary purposes of the pro-dam lobbying entities is to conflate the Columbia River dams with the lower Snake River dams, to hide the Snake River dams’ detrimental effects and waste of tax and ratepayer money.
The pro-dam lobbyists have successfully persuaded Washington and Idaho politicians to support the Snake River dams. These politicians appear to be the main obstacle to moving lower Snake River dam breaching forward. Senator Patty Murray has been steadfast in her opposition to lower Snake River dam breaching. Using her considerable power, she has been able to keep other senators, representatives and governors from supporting dam breaching. Murray is now using the NEPA/CRSO scoping process to provide cover, telling us her position is to wait and see how the litigation works out, even though her staff acknowledges that this could spell extinction for Snake River salmon and resident orcas. The NEPA/CRSO process likely will take 10-15 years. While the process is supposed to protect the environment, it is being used for the opposite effect—to protect the hydrosystem at the expense of Snake River wild salmon and steelhead, and resident orcas. They likely will not survive 10-15 years, except for remnant populations.
To overcome the three pro-dam lobbying entities and get the dams breached, we need to change the perception of voters re the benefits of the lower Snake River dams, so they will pressure the politicians to make decisions based on the interests of those they represent, rather than the few special interests that benefit from the dams. This will take much effort.”
Sharon Grace wrote this to me in May of 2017; but I am not sure much has changed since then in terms of opposition–and the dams are still there. But perhaps the time is right to actually influence political will.
This FYI background, also shared with me from Sharon Grace:
• The Snake River is the largest tributary of the Columbia River and produces about half of the salmon coming out of the system.
• The lower Snake River dams (constructed beginning in 1961 and completed in 1975) were built with fish ladders for returning adults, but failed to comply with law, because three of the dams did not have any way for juvenile migratory fish to get over the dams. Thus, they immediately decimated what remained of the lower Snake salmon runs that had already been devastated by the practices of European settlers who had arrived in the area in the 1800’s.
• Juvenile fish passage hardware has been added, but only about 50% of the juveniles make it past the four lower Snake River dams and four Columbia River dams.
• Since the Snake River once produced many millions of salmon each year prior to the dams construction, it has the potential to produce abundant salmon again.
• Chinook salmon are approximately 80-85% of the Southern Resident orcas’ diet. The orcas have relied on Columbia/Snake River chinook salmon historically.
Close the Chinook fishery. The Orcas are starving. Some Seattle restaurants have stopped serving local salmon. A good start. Compensate the commercial fishermen for the time the fishery needs to recover.
Again, very much appreciate your information Norris.
It’s unblanched and refreshingly honest. We really need direct unabashed comments at this point…no time for delaying tactics and I’m all about confirming and verifying details before taking action—verified facts are the very foundation of good corrective action.
I’m taking Sen Ranker at his word when he says extinction is NOT an option. He should have a direct channel to Sen. Murray.
$ and greed are ALWAYS the driving forces behind resistance.
Detractors, Deflectors and Apologists love to say, “it’s not that simple” —but when you break it down it really is that simple.
It really is all about Greed (business interests profiting from the LSR Dam), and Self-Preservation and Self-Interest (politicians who benefit from their financial support), and it is these twin structures who prevent taking steps necessary to prevent the extinction of, in this case, the biggest and perhaps brightest of the Dolphin family. What does this say about us to let this happen without risking some comfort, commitment and time to stop?
At some point, you have nothing much more to lose…extinction is about where that line is…and each of have to ask ourselves, what are we so afraid of that we can’t come out of our shells, risk the discomfort that goes with being boisterous and a bit more confrontational and direct, and make a hard run and case for saving such a species?
What can we really lose if we take a stand? Many of us dont even have financial challenges and are pretty set. Thus, most of us haven’t much at all to lose! BUT, we lose BIG with the “business as usual” approach as it’s a precursor to so much worse yet to come!
How meaningless it is to simply make money, store it away, live well from a “material” perspective and then die in material comfort never having stepped up and out…because we’ve been too complacent, selfish and lazy to make a difference when and where we really could if we wanted to— and to do it before we go.
If we collectively pool our resources, talent and time, we absolutely can make change happen or stop this extinction. The opposition would be absolutely fearful of that kind of kinetic energy!
I need to digest it all and do some digging.
And thanks for letting me know about Sharon Grace’s efforts and involvement.
A not so gentle reminder—we talk of greenhouse gases without hesitation.
Hydroelectric systems cause irreversible short and long term devastating damage to our ecology, people, communities, and other life on which we depend for survival.
The BIG ELEPHANT in the room for which our Democratic representatives need to account is Hydroelectric power systems.
How a Democrat isn’t upbraided and shamed for supporting these systems needs to become a loud open declaration and statement via public protest.
All effort and energy should be directed towards replacing this absolutely destructive source of power. Excuses disguise only the ugliest manifestations of greed and recklessness.
The up and coming “younger” voting public will change the political map though action is needed now. They will quite rightly become very intolerant of environmental destruction disguised as “compromise and cooperation.”
We are “compromising and cooperating” ourselves, along with the food chains on which we depend for survival, right out of existence and the reasons are the usual suspects: stupidity, selfishness and greed—no other reasons! The science is clear and has been for some time. Before the science you watched first-hand the destruction to communities, peoples and the terrestrial environment, locally and globally, caused by hydroelectric systems.
A paper submitted by a Charlie Hopkins from Stanford U captures the larger effects quite well:
A Hydroelectric System causes:
—effects in the biological, chemical and physical properties of rivers ecosystems;
—traps sediments, which are critical for maintaining physical processes and habitats downstream of the dam (include the maintenance of productive deltas, barrier islands, fertile floodplains and coastal wetlands), which in turn can completely alter the chemical makeup of a river.
—Dams have forced thousands of native people around the world to relocate their homes due to dam reservoirs.
So, I ask:
How can our democratic congressmen and women support these systems with all the available technology and clean energy ready for application and installation— but stymied only by a lack of political WILL due to greed and the destructive influence of dark pools of money peddled by opaque pro Dam lobbyists?
One last point:
Much of the damage to ecology and communities caused by Dams requiring the flooding of land, aside from so much other well-understood harm and devastation, is an after-the-fact discovery of significant increases in Methylmercury.
A peer-reviewed study from scientists at Harvard in conjunction with Canadian scientists found that roughly 90% of pending hydroelectric systems in Canada will likely contribute to significant increases in the production of methylmercury in the land, vegetation and aquatic life in and around the natural waterways affected by proposed Hydro electric systems.
The effects on the locals who depend on the locally grown food and fish caught from the effected river systems are much more pronounced—adding salt to so many un-healed wounds already inflicted—these harms have a much higher proportionate and discriminatory effect on indigenous communities.
Anyone can easily Google what higher concentrations of methylmercury do to us, chemically and physically.
This production of methylmercury, a direct result of certain Hydroelectric systems, is just one example of the many longterm harmful consequences that scientific communities in the US and Canada did not discover until AFTER the fact and until AFTER the damage was experienced by so many communities (again, impacting indigenous communities at a much higher rate) along with vegetation and wildlife locally and downstream.