Nonprofit suing Army Corps over pollution in Columbia River

YAKIMA, Wash. — The nonprofit Columbia Riverkeeper is suing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for allegedly polluting the Columbia River with hot water, oil and toxic chemicals, according to a news release from the organization.

The nonprofit alleges that four dams operated by the Army Corps discharged pollution in violation of the Clean Water Act. The dams are located in Portland and Tri-Cities.

“Salmon are dying because the water is too hot. It’s past time for the Army Corps to reduce illegal heat pollution from dams,” said Brett VandenHeuvel, executive director of Columbia Riverkeeper.

According to the release, the dams on the river make the water too hot for endangered salmon and steelhead and the Clean Water Act compels the Army Corps to reduce heat and other pollution from the dams.

The complaint filed says that scientists estimate that more than 277,000 sockeye died in the Columbia and Snake Rivers due to warm water temperatures.

KIRO 7 reached out to the Army Corp of Engineers for a comment.

©2021 Cox Media Group