"Northwest States and Tribes Forge Historic Deal with Biden Administration to Protect Columbia River Basin Fish and Dams"
The Biden administration has reached a historic deal with four tribes in the Columbia River Basin and the states of Oregon and Washington to restore salmon and other fish runs while considering the eventual breaching of four dams. The agreement includes a 10-year pause in legal battles, promises of federal funds for wild fish restoration and renewable tribal energy production, and a commitment to replace and breach the lower Snake River dams within eight years. Environmental groups hailed the agreement as a major win, while critics representing utilities, farmers, and ports expressed concerns about the exclusion of their interests. The deal also addresses the issue of fish hatcheries, which have failed to support native fish populations despite billions of dollars spent on restoration projects.