columbiainsight.org
@columbiainsight.bsky.social
Columbia Insight is a #nonprofit #newsroom #publishing #environmental #news and feature stories about #climatechange #wildlife #energy #biodiversity #indigeouspeople #landuse #forestry and #water in the #ColumbiaRiverBasin and the #PacificNorthwest.
H.R. 9621, NW Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act now before Congress, would expand authority to kill #seals in WA waters in name of #salmonrecovery. Its premise: pinnipeds eat salmon; salmon are endangered; killing predators should leave more salmon alive. columbiainsight.org/killing-seal...
OPINION: Killing seals and sea lions won’t solve the Northwest’s salmon crisis - Columbia Insight
The bill before Congress to expand the killing of pinnipeds is deeply flawed
columbiainsight.org
A spring 2026 ruling prohibiting drones in OR state parks inspired cheers from birdwatchers and the terminally camera-shy. So why are drones are back in the air at 20 state park properties, including 11 at the coast? columbiainsight.org/drones-ban-i...
Drones ban in Oregon parks isn’t as comprehensive as you might think - Columbia Insight
Supporters of the ban celebrated a May victory. So how come drones are flying again in August?
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University of Washington study shows ditching the Roadless Rule would degrade drinking water. Public support of the Roadless Rule is overwhelming. Will the federal government listen to its people? columbiainsight.org/ditching-roa...
UW study: Ditching Roadless Rule would degrade drinking water - Columbia Insight
Public support of the Roadless Rule is overwhelming. Will the federal government listen to its people?
columbiainsight.org
Bonneville Power Administration has withdrawn funds from a Columbia River fisheries program. Critics see Trumpian politics. Lawyer and activist David Moskowitz, who’s been monitoring the program since its inception, says there’s good science behind the decision. columbiainsight.org/bps-decision...
OPINION: BPA’s decision to pull plug on salmon program was long overdue - Columbia Insight
Outrage over the federal agency’s withdrawal of funding from SAFE is misplaced. Here are the facts
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As #PNW #wildfires rage, tone-deaf timber group blames environmentalists for blaze. On social media, the American Forest Resources Council picks an ill-timed fight with #OregonWild over the Grasshopper Fire. columbiainsight.org/as-fire-rage...
As fires rage, tone-deaf timber group blames environmentalists for blaze - Columbia Insight
On social media, the American Forest Resources Council picks an ill-timed fight with Oregon Wild over the Grasshopper Fire
columbiainsight.org
Following our story about dysfunction on WFWC, Gov Bob Ferguson’s office confirmed he’d authorized an investigation into conduct of commissioners. Last week, that investigation concluded with a report that seems designed to please everyone and, perhaps, no one. columbiainsight.org/80000-wdfw-p...
UPDATE: $80,000 WDFW probe finds wrongdoing, doesn’t recommend punishment - Columbia Insight
Investigation finds group of Washington Fish and Wildlife commissioners flouted transparency laws and conflict of interest rules
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A Fed scheme to monetize ‘one of wildest places left in US’ revs up. Revered by everyone from hikers to hunters, an important wildlife migratory corridor, the Blue Mountains, includes cherished wildlands of the Wallowa Mountains, Hells Canyon and John Day River. columbiainsight.org/fed-scheme-t...
Bring in the bulldozers: Fed scheme to monetize ‘one of wildest places left in US’ revs up - Columbia Insight
Bear, elk, moose, mule deer, salmon, eagles among species affected by plan to roll back protections in the Blue Mountains
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You might have heard the #Trump admin is withholding fed funds for new #energyprojects. Here's a list of #PNW projects getting the shaft. columbiainsight.org/these-are-th...
No soup for you: These are the federal grants Trump squashed in Ore., Wash. - Columbia Insight
In withholding energy funds, D.C. rulers try dictatorial tactics to coerce conformity among infidel states
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Everett-based Helion is constructing a #fusion power plant in WA nr the #ColumbiaRiver after receiving a green light from the state. Dubbed the world’s first purchase power agreement with Microsoft in 2023 to generate and supply 50 MW of electricity by 2028. columbiainsight.org/company-secu...
Company secures world-first fusion power license in Washington - Columbia Insight
Construction is underway for a plant that will provide electricity for a Microsoft data center
columbiainsight.org
A new predator is stalking mason bees. About five years ago, a new parasite, the houdini fly, began taking hold in bee hotels in Oregon—on a large scale. The houdini fly originated in Europe. columbiainsight.org/pollinator-p...
Pollinator problem: A new predator is stalking mason bees - Columbia Insight
Attracted by a backyard conservation boom, houdini flies are threatening bee populations
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This technology is being called the ‘future of grazing in the West’ and offers many advantages for wildlife. Barbed-wire fences changed the western US in the 1800s. Can virtual fences change it back? columbiainsight.org/this-technol...
This technology is being called the ‘future of grazing in the West’ - Columbia Insight
Barbed-wire fences changed the entire western US in the 1800s. Can virtual fences change it back?
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An OR law passed in 2025 that made it easier to recycle mattresses (rather than simply tossing them in a landfill) is already paying dividends. columbiainsight.org/oregon-recyc...
Oregon recycling program keeps 130,000 mattresses out of landfills in first year - Columbia Insight
The state contributed to a gangbusters total of 2 million mattresses recycled as part of a four-state program
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Amid fire season in the Gorge, a legal game of chicken over safety funding is playing out between government agencies. A court freed millions for wildfire mitigation. A Trump proposal could freeze it again.
A court freed millions for wildfire mitigation. A Trump proposal could freeze it again - Columbia Insight
Amid fire season in the Gorge, a legal game of chicken over safety funding is playing out between government agencies
columbiainsight.org
#ForestService chief outlines agency’s largest reorganization in a century. Funding for #USFS set to fall by 24% in fiscal year 2027. “Morale is horrendous” says a retired forest supervisor.
Forest Service chief outlines agency’s largest reorganization in a century - Columbia Insight
Funding for USFS set to fall by 24% in fiscal year 2027. "Morale is horrendous" says a retired forest supervisor
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#Groundwater is definitely declining and levels across the #ColumbiaRiverBasin are at risk. #Waterconservation should be top of mind across the region, according to WA Gov. #BobFerguson, who launched Washington Water Future initiative. columbiainsight.org/groundwater-...
Groundwater is definitely declining. What now? - Columbia Insight
“We need to protect our water supplies,” says Wash. Gov. Ferguson. But conservation alone won't solve the problem
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Could you last a year if you had to forage 100% of your food? Robin Greenfield has sworn off groceries for a year. He’s now in the #PNW, 8 months into a 12-month cross-country journey during which he says he’ll eat only #foragedfoods. columbiainsight.org/forage-king-...
What are fish bubblers and why are they coming to the Snake River? U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to install “fish bubblers” at several dams this summer. The bubbler is meant to lower water temperatures around dams, encouraging salmon to use fish ladders. columbiainsight.org/what-are-fis...
#BPA abruptly pulls funding from #ColumbiaRiverfisheries program. SAFE offsets pressure on native stock. ODFW says the decision leaves 7 million hatchery salmon at risk. columbiainsight.org/bpa-abruptly...
Introducing a deeply researched new podcast that investigates #environmentaldestruction and the many forms it takes in the #PacificNorthwest and beyond. Called “Ecocide,” the podcast by two Pacific Northwesterners and conservationists debuted this month. columbiainsight.org/new-podcast-...
OPINION: Questioning how much #water #AI is actually using. An AI user, concerned about the impacts of #datacenters asks "Where’s the middle ground?". columbiainsight.org/questioning-...
Weakened #BLM ‘reassigns’ PIOs ahead of #fireseason. Action puts public safety and rural communities “at extreme risk” according to a letter of protest. Vital wildland information staff are no longer focused on fire. columbiainsight.org/weakened-blm...
A new #spider species has been discovered in the #PNW. The Trogloraptor tulishpun is a unique species of spider found only in the #ColumbiaRiverGorge. columbiainsight.org/new-spider-s...
Today's species: bitterroot, a beautiful flower and an edible, culturally significant plant for Indigenous Nations from the Rocky Mountains to the Cascades. Missoula County, MT, 2015. I'm highlighting a species every week as a reminder of Earth's fragile, beautiful biodiversity. Photos are mine.
#Cascades #mountaingoat populations are in serious trouble. As conservation revenue dries up, tribal and state leaders are scrambling to reverse a worrisome trend. Even the unflappable mountain goat is unable to avoid the accumulating environmental pressures. columbiainsight.org/cascades-mou...
Issues with NW Metals are testing how #Oregon handles persistent #environmental offenders. The company have faced more than 15 years of repeated environmental violations tied to their #scrapyards at three different locations across #Portland columbiainsight.org/dispute-heat...
There’s been a curious lack of information and know-nothing posturing about this blockbuster deal backed by mega-billionaire tech investor Peter Thiel.
Andrew Engelson@andyengelson.bsky.social · 3mo agoThis story is bananas. The feds are re-starting nuclear enrichment at #Hanford and there's virtually no public information or environment review...
A #uranium enrichment plant is expected to begin operations at #Hanford nuclear reservation in roughly 2 years. However, it appears that either no officials in Washington know much of anything about it, or are willing to talk. columbiainsight.org/the-return-o...
How #datacenters pose a unique threat to Pac NW Tribes. Salmon, energy plans and cultural identity are all being impacted by the corporate drive for AI. T columbiainsight.org/how-data-cen...
Coal exports on the Columbia River? A Utah-based coalition and a shadowy port company want it to happen, but they're going to have a fight on their hands. In this story, I dive into it:
