State of Oregon – State of Washington – Nez Perce Tribe

Bonneville Power Administration – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Bureau of Reclamation

Federal, State and Tribal partners have come together to develop an agreement on a key component of operating federal dams in the Columbia River Basin. Parties to the agreement have aligned on a flexible spring spill operation premised on achieving improved salmon survival while also managing costs in hydropower generation. Key supporters of the agreement are jointly issuing this statement:

“Collaboration is key to this new approach to Columbia River system management. Working together, the region’s states, tribes, and federal agencies have developed an approach that demonstrates environmental stewardship and affordable sustainable energy are not mutually exclusive.”

The agreement Parties are the states of Oregon and Washington, the Nez Perce Tribe, the Bonneville Power Administration, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation. In addition, the states of Idaho and Montana reviewed the agreement and are supportive of the flexible operation.

The agreement covers up to three years of fish passage spill operations at eight lower Columbia and Snake River dams.  During this time, the agreement avoids litigation while the co-lead agencies complete the Columbia River System Operations Environmental Impact Statement Records of Decision.

The agreement calls for flexible spill operations that meet three objectives: provide additional fish benefits by increasing spill; manage power system costs and preserve hydro system flexibility; and retain operational feasibility. Specifically, these operations involve increased spill during certain times of the day for fish migration and lesser amounts for the hours when hydropower production is needed most.

The parties have agreed to engage in a transparent and collaborative manner to implement this agreement. This agreement is an important step forward for the parties and the region. Rather than focusing on our differences, we are working together on our shared objectives of improving salmon passage and providing affordable hydropower for the region’s electricity consumers.

To contact parties/supporters for their own perspective please see below:

Clarkston, WA - Clarkston School District - Earlier today, students reported finding a bomb threat within the Lincoln Middle School campus and reported it to administration.  LMS immediately implemented the district’s crisis plan informing local law enforcement.  At 12:15 p.m. students were evacuated from LMS and the adjacent Heights Elementary School.  All students and staff were successfully evacuated to Life Center Church where staff followed district protocol to release students to parents and guardians.  In just under an hour, the majority of students were in the custody of their parent or guardian.  The remaining students were transported home by district transportation.

School and law enforcement officials initiated bomb threat protocols and the building was cleared for re-entry at approximately 2:00 p.m.  There will be no extracurricular activities at LMS today; all have been canceled.  Though both buildings are clear and safe, students may not return to the buildings to retrieve personal items until school resumes at the regular time tomorrow.

Both LMS and Heights Elementary will resume tomorrow at their regularly scheduled times with additional support from law enforcement. 

Clarkston, WA - The Clarkston School District has made the decision to evacuate Lincoln Middle School and Heights Elementary School at 12:15 p.m. today, Wednesday, December 12th due to a bomb threat at LMS.  Both schools were evacuated to Life Center Church located at 2377 Appleside Blvd.  Parents and guardians who are listed on the emergency contact list at the school are encouraged to go to the church to check out your student for the day.  Picture ID is required.

Students who are not picked up by 1:30 p.m. will be transported via district transportation to their homes.

We ask that no one come to the school until district and police department officials have determined that the building is clear.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Clarkston, WA - On the afternoon of Tuesday, December 11th, a report was made to Lincoln Middle School administration that a LMS student had advised others “to stay home”.   The comment made the students feel uncomfortable and the students followed district protocol and reported it. These allegations were immediately and thoroughly investigated by school administration, as well as local law enforcement.  The source of the comment has been identified. 

We are confident that there is no threat to the safety of students, staff or the community.  The Clarkston School District will continue to work with law enforcement on this matter.  The safety and well-being of our students remains our highest priority.

###