Protecting Columbia River Salmon Act of 2026

Key Points

• This bill would give Indian Tribes the power to kill California and Steller sea lions in the Columbia River to help protect salmon. It covers the river from the Pacific Ocean up to the McNary Dam in Washington and Oregon.
• Under this plan, there would be no limit on how many sea lions a Tribe could remove. They also would not have to prove that a specific sea lion is causing problems before taking action.
• The goal is to stop sea lions from eating too many salmon, which are a vital food source and cultural symbol for people in the Pacific Northwest. Many salmon species in the river are currently at risk of dying out.
• Tribes would be required to use humane methods to kill the sea lions. They could also hire or appoint other people to help them carry out these tasks.

Impact Analysis

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