Flotilla supports rivers and salmon

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Photos from the Free the Snake Floatilla on the Snake River in between Lewiston, ID and Clarkston, WA. Hundreds of people from the Pacific Northwest and beyond have gathered at the confluence of the Lower Snake and Clearwater Rivers to call for the restoration of our wild salmon by removing four costly dams on the Lower Snake River. Through this action, we have the opportunity bring about the largest river restoration in history

By Idaho Rivers United

Photos from the Free the Snake Floatilla on the Snake River in between Lewiston, ID and Clarkston, WA. Hundreds of people from the Pacific Northwest and beyond have gathered at the confluence of the Lower Snake and Clearwater Rivers to call for the restoration of our wild salmon by removing four costly dams on the Lower Snake River. Through this action, we have the opportunity bring about the largest river restoration in history
Photos from the Free the Snake Floatilla on the Snake River in between Lewiston, ID and Clarkston, WA. Hundreds of people from the Pacific Northwest and beyond have gathered at the confluence of the Lower Snake and Clearwater Rivers to call for the restoration of our wild salmon by removing four costly dams on the Lower Snake River. Through this action, we have the opportunity bring about the largest river restoration in history

According to Idaho Rivers United, a little rain did little to dampen the spirits of hundreds of people who traveled to the Lewis Clark Valley of northern Idaho and eastern Washington today to paddle in support of a free-flowing lower Snake River.

“This flotilla is about people, and we had people from throughout the Northwest,” said Kevin Lewis, IRU executive director. “We had average citizens and tribal members; children, adults and grandparents; entrepreneurs and students. What binds these people are the magnificent salmon and steelhead that are endangered because of four dams on the lower Snake River.”

It was the second Free the Snake flotilla in as many years, and by any estimation attendance grew despite the day’s damp, gray weather. Paddlers gathered at Swallows Park in Clarkston, Wash., and paddled downstream to the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers, where a giant floating banner proclaiming “FREE THE SNAKE” was unfurled. Another stating “SAVE OUR SALMON” was held up on long poles.

Passing motorists honked their support. People walking the riverbanks waved and whistled. The hundreds of paddlers held their paddles up high and cheered a chant in support of a free-flowing lower Snake River and restored wild salmon and steelhead.

The flotilla was timely this year because the federal government will soon begin conducting a public process to kick off a new, court-ordered study of the best legal and scientifically sound methods to restore endangered salmon and steelhead.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the people of the Pacific Northwest and beyond to make their voices heard on behalf of wild salmon and fiscal responsibility on the lower Snake,” Lewis said. “And, judging by the enthusiasm at the flotilla today, those voices are going to be loud and clear.”

During introductory remarks before the flotilla, longtime salmon advocate and Nez Perce Tribe executive director Rebecca Miles told the crowd that she and others she knows have long believed that removal of the four lower Snake River dams might not happen in their lifetimes.

But that’s changed. 

The tide has turned in favor of dam removal, and Miles said she’s now confident that she’ll still be around to see the lower Snake River run free and wild salmon restored.