An Update from the Executive Director

I hope this newsletter finds you and your loved ones well in these difficult and trying times. During times like these it is important to remember what brings you joy and to pursue that the best you can. My girls and I just returned from a camping trip on the Olympic Peninsula – we had campfires on the beach, hiked to waterfalls and spent a lot of time soaking up nature’s bounty. For many of us, the lower Deschutes River regularly brings us the peace and joy I experienced on my recent adventure.

The DRA was formed with the idea of bringing reason and solid scientific facts to the attention of the operators of the Pelton Round Butte project and the agencies that oversee them. Over the last eight years we have met with the operators numerous times to work on a solution. Our concept of an acceptable outcome and that of the operators have been extremely far apart. It has become increasingly clear that they were not going to respond to logic or law. It has also become clear that while litigation was not what the DRA wanted to pursue, it is the only way we will get the operators and the regulators to follow and enforce the laws protecting the river.

In the last couple of months, three reports have been published on our website. Our science continues to tell us that the conditions of the lower Deschutes River have deteriorated since Tower operations began ten years ago. In the past year, our science was confirmed by the operators’ own scientific report.

I am often asked why the operators do not make the simple adjustments to save the lower Deschutes River. The reality is that despite continued and documented water quality issues combined with a fish reintroduction effort that is not yielding expected and promised results, the operators trudge forward with a flawed and failing strategy. It is obvious to even the casual observer that a failing fish reintroduction effort – around fifty each of steelhead and spring Chinook a year return to the project – is prioritized over clean water.

The DRA is the watchdog for the river – this will always be important and true. Having solid science and reason on our side is not enough to win this battle. We have appealed to the governmental agencies tasked with protecting the river. Time and time again they refuse to do the enforcement they are required by law to do. They seemingly have given up on the lower Deschutes River.

The only way we will win this battle is in the courts. An appeal has been filed in the Federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in opposition to current operations. We have a great deal of enthusiasm and confidence in our current appeal. If it fails, we are prepared to move forward with other options.

This will not be easy nor quick but it is the only way to save the lower Deschutes. The operators and the regulators entered into a contract when the project was licensed. The DRA intends to enforce the terms of that contract to benefit the river.

We need your help to keep this fight going. Please donate now. If you have any questions or want to discuss anything don’t hesitate to reach out.

-Sarah Cloud, Executive Director, Deschutes River Alliance