The EPA has issued clean water act permits to prevent pollution at four dams on the Columbia River.

SEATTLE, Wash.-

Recently issued Clean Water Act permits hope to reduce the discharge of hot water, oil and toxic chemicals from four Columbia River dams between Portland and the Tri-Cities. The permits were issued to the Army Corps of Engineers by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and will require the Corps to reduce heat pollution and better control oil spills, according to the EPA.

In 2021 the Corps of Engineers was sued by Columbia Riverkeeper, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the Columbia and its salmon, over pollution of the river without EPA permits.

"The Columbia River's iconic salmon rely on cool, clean water," said Lauren Goldberg, Executive Director, Columbia Riverkeeper. "It's past time for the Army Corps to reduce illegal pollution from dams." 

According to the EPA, the permits grant Oregon and Washington the authority to require the Corps of Engineers to implement summer drawdowns of reservoirs to decrease river temperatures that are often too hot for salmon and steelhead.