Electron Dam – Puyallup Tribal News

01 Sep

Statement From Tribal Council: Court finds Electron Hydro LLC and COO liable under Clean Water Act

Ever since we learned that Electron Hydro LLC had polluted the Puyallup River with artificial turf, we have fought to hold it accountable. Today a judge found both Electron Hydro and its chief operating officer, Thom Fischer, liable under the Clean Water Act for illegally discharging turf and other construction materials into the river. We are pleased with the ruling. It’s another step to accountability. Now we look forward to determinations as to the penalties for this reckless, idiotic act that has caused so much damage. Despite the Tribe’s tireless efforts to remove toxic pollutants put into the river by…

03 Mar

A message from Tribal Council: Electron Dam settlement agreements mark progress

There were two important settlement agreements this week in the multi-pronged fight against Electron Hydro’s trashing of the environment. American Rivers and American Whitewater reached an agreement to settle their case under the Endangered Species Act, and Communities for a Healthy Bay and Puget Soundkeeper reached an agreement to settle their case under the Clean Water Act. The Tribe is grateful for these organizations’ work and support in legal challenges addressing some of the many violations Electron has committed during operations and construction at the site. Once approved by a judge, the agreement to settle by American Rivers and American…

10 Jan

Tribal Council response to announcement of criminal charges in Electron Hydro case:

We appreciate the extensive investigation by the attorney general’s office. The discharge of turf into the river at Electron Dam caused grave environmental harm. Salmon and other wildlife have already paid the price. Now it is time for those responsible to face the consequences. AG Ferguson files 36 criminal charges against Electron Hydro company and COO for polluting Puyallup River Affidavit of probable cause Charging document

02 Dec

Vice Chairwoman Miller shares the importance of our salmon, lands and waters at #WeArePugetSound event

Electron Dam, Land Preservation, LNG, Salmon, Tribal Rights

“I’ll tell you, we are very protective of our lands and our waters; it feeds our souls, bodies and hearts. It’s important for people to preserve and protect these lands and waters or we won’t have them in the future,” said Vice Chairwoman Sylvia Miller at the 2021 virtual #WeArePugetSound event hosted today by the Washington Environmental Council. With the return of salmon to streams throughout the Salish Sea, the event focused on how people can support Tribal treaty rights. Communities for a Healthy Bay Executive Director Melissa Malott was the other panelist; the Tribe and CHB have both fought for…

21 Jun

Electron Dam update from Tribal Council

Environmental, fisheries, Puyallup Tribal Council

To our Membership, We won a big victory this morning. Last month we asked a judge to block Electron Hydro from opening the water intake to generate electricity, and profits, as it tries to salvage its fish-killing Electron Dam. We argued that opening the intake would kill more fish, and we asked the judge to issue a preliminary injunction to keep the dam owners from opening that intake until they get the right permits. In his ruling, the judge cited much of the evidence given by our Fisheries experts, who spent hours detailing impacts to fish and our Membership. The…

21 May

Puyallup Tribe seeks court order to stop Electron Hydro from opening fish-killing dam’s water intake

Chinook Salmon, Clean Water Act, Electron Dam, Endangered Species Act, fisheries, Puyallup River

May 21, 2021 Puyallup Tribe seeks court order to stop Electron Hydro from opening fish-killing dam’s water intake ‘Everything they did last summer makes it worse,’ Tribal Council says TACOMA—The Puyallup Tribe on Thursday asked a federal court judge in its case against Electron Hydro LLC to issue an order blocking the company from opening a water intake as it stumbles through attempts to get the dam operational. The Puyallup River is home to Chinook salmon, which are important to Tribal and non-Tribal fishers alike and a critical food source of endangered Southern Resident orcas. The river is also home…

30 Dec

Puyallup Tribe sues Electron Dam operators over killing of fish in Puyallup River

Electron Dam

Contamination of river with artificial turf not the only take of salmon and bull trout in violation of Endangered Species Act TACOMA—The Puyallup Tribe filed a lawsuit in federal court today against the operators of Electron Dam over their ongoing violations of the Endangered Species Act. The Puyallup River is home to spring chinook salmon, which are important to Tribal and non-Tribal fishers alike and a critical food source of endangered Southern Resident orcas, and to steelhead and bull trout. All three species are protected under the Endangered Species Act. The century-old dam in the upper Puyallup has long been…