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STRUGGLE FOR THE SNAKE – a documentary created in 1971 – was recently posted on YOUTUBE and well worth setting aside 28 minutes to watch. This 45 year-old classic focuses on the contentious debate over the original construction of the last of the four lower Snake River dams – Lower Granite – in the Lewiston/Clarkston Valley in southeast Washington State.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7SKoYgaIT8

STRUGGLE FOR THE SNAKE reveals a pitched battle way back in the ’60s and ’70s over these dams’ devastating impacts on salmon and dubious economics, and a sharp critique over how the Army Corps of Engineers promotes dam projects despite high costs, low benefits and local concerns.

While the documentary features agency representatives, economic experts and local community members, Tribal people are noticeably absent. In this respect, this film reflects its era: Tribes were routinely ignored/excluded from participating in any meaningful way in these types of processes and decisions.

Nevertheless, this is a must-see documentary. Nearly 50 years later, the themes will be frustratingly familiar and a reminder of the challenges we’ll need to overcome today in order to free the Snake, protect its storied salmon from extinction, and avoid billions in additional spending on new, still-inadequate, status quo projects.

ONE IMPORTANT WAY YOU CAN HELP RIGHT NOW: Give big during GIVEBIG 2017, the Seattle Foundation-sponsored day of philanthropy – on Wednesday, May 10.

https://www.givebigseattle.org/save-our-wild-salmon

This year, we have a generous fundraising challenge match totaling $10K! Please give generously to help us meet this match, double your dollars, and support our work to restore Northwest rivers and protect wild salmon and steelhead in 2017!

You can schedule your gift now – before the 10th. Click here to set up your donation today (it won’t be processed until 5/10):
https://www.givebigseattle.org/save-our-wild-salmon

Thank you so much for your support,

Joseph, Sam and the whole SOS team!
joseph@wildsalmon.org
sam@wildsalmon.org
http://www.wildsalmon.org

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