Tell the Army Corps of Engineers to choose a plan that actually helps native fish recover.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released its Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (Draft SEIS) for how the Willamette Valley dams will be operated for the next decade. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shift dam operations so that threatened salmon and steelhead finally have a real chance at recovery.

The Corps is taking a step in the right direction—but they need to hear from you to make sure strong, science-based fish recovery measures make it into the final plan.

The Army Corps needs to hear from supporters of wild fish recovery on the following points:

1) Support the Deep Drawdown at Detroit Reservoir

The Corps’ plan to lower Detroit Reservoir each fall will give juvenile salmon and steelhead a far better chance of safely migrating past the dam. A phased, three-year approach will minimize downstream water-quality and sediment impacts while opening a clearer path for outmigrating fish.

2) The SEIS Doesn’t Fully Explore Fish-First Options Without Hydropower

Although the Corps analyzed a “no-hydropower” alternative, it didn’t examine the full range of fish-centered actions that become possible when commercial hydropower is eliminated. Missing from the analysis are alternatives like better drawdown timing and the potential removal or reoperation of reregulating dams (facilities that only exist for commercial hydropower operations)—both key opportunities to improve fish passage and avoid costly, ineffective fish-collection infrastructure.

Public comments are open now until December 29.

Please take one minute to sign the letter below and tell the Corps to support real solutions for wild fish.