The Snohomish River is vital to the Puget Sound watershed and home to one of the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic species—salmon. For centuries, salmon have played a crucial role in the region’s ecosystems and tribal cultures. However, salmon populations in the Snohomish River face significant threats due to habitat loss and toxic pollution.
As Everett residents consider Initiative 24-03, which would grant legal rights to the Snohomish River watershed, the health of salmon must be a top concern.
Habitat Loss: A Major Threat to Salmon
Habitat loss is a primary cause of declining salmon numbers in the Snohomish River. Historically, the river’s estuary provided essential rearing habitat for Chinook salmon and other species. Urbanization, industrial development, and pollution have destroyed crucial spawning grounds. In fact, 90% of the river’s historic estuary habitats have been lost. This dramatically reduces the space where Chinook salmon and other species can grow and thrive.
While projects like the Chinook Marsh Restoration Project are trying to reclaim these habitats, these restoration efforts face numerous challenges, including funding limitations and the need for long-term monitoring and maintenance. Additionally, the removal of riparian zones (vegetated areas near rivers) has worsened the situation, raising river temperatures and creating hostile conditions for salmon.
Toxic Chemicals: The Silent Killer of Salmon
Salmon in the Snohomish River are exposed to harmful chemicals like 6PPD-quinone, a tire-related chemical highly toxic to coho salmon, and PCBs and PBDEs, a fire retardant chemical. These chemicals can accumulate in the tissues of salmon, leading to reduced growth, increased disease susceptibility, and altered hormone production, further threatening salmon populations.
Industrial pollution, stormwater runoff, and wastewater discharges are the main sources of these chemicals. By passing Everett Initiative 24-03, residents can take stronger legal action to prevent pollution and hold polluters accountable.
Broader Impacts: Orcas, Ecosystems, and Human Health
The decline in salmon doesn’t only affect the river—Southern Resident orcas, which rely on Chinook salmon, are also at risk. The health of the Snohomish River’s ecosystem directly impacts orcas and the entire Puget Sound food chain, including humans who consume salmon.
Call to Action: Vote Yes on Everett Initiative 24-03
Everett 24-03 offers Everett the opportunity to protect its natural resources and give salmon a chance to recover. By granting legal rights to the river, the initiative will empower citizens to challenge harmful activities and promote a healthier environment.
Protect the Snohomish River, support salmon recovery, and ensure a sustainable future for Everett. Vote yes on Initiative 24-03.
Let’s not wait for the next environmental crisis to act. The time to protect the Snohomish River is now.
Salmon in the Snohomish River: A Case for Passing Everett 24-03
The Snohomish River is vital to the Puget Sound watershed and home to one of the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic species—salmon. For centuries, salmon have played a crucial role in the region’s ecosystems and tribal cultures. However, salmon populations in the Snohomish River face significant threats due to habitat loss and toxic pollution.
As Everett residents consider Initiative 24-03, which would grant legal rights to the Snohomish River watershed, the health of salmon must be a top concern.
Habitat Loss: A Major Threat to Salmon
Habitat loss is a primary cause of declining salmon numbers in the Snohomish River. Historically, the river’s estuary provided essential rearing habitat for Chinook salmon and other species. Urbanization, industrial development, and pollution have destroyed crucial spawning grounds. In fact, 90% of the river’s historic estuary habitats have been lost. This dramatically reduces the space where Chinook salmon and other species can grow and thrive.
While projects like the Chinook Marsh Restoration Project are trying to reclaim these habitats, these restoration efforts face numerous challenges, including funding limitations and the need for long-term monitoring and maintenance. Additionally, the removal of riparian zones (vegetated areas near rivers) has worsened the situation, raising river temperatures and creating hostile conditions for salmon.
Toxic Chemicals: The Silent Killer of Salmon
Salmon in the Snohomish River are exposed to harmful chemicals like 6PPD-quinone, a tire-related chemical highly toxic to coho salmon, and PCBs and PBDEs, a fire retardant chemical. These chemicals can accumulate in the tissues of salmon, leading to reduced growth, increased disease susceptibility, and altered hormone production, further threatening salmon populations.
Industrial pollution, stormwater runoff, and wastewater discharges are the main sources of these chemicals. By passing Everett Initiative 24-03, residents can take stronger legal action to prevent pollution and hold polluters accountable.
Broader Impacts: Orcas, Ecosystems, and Human Health
The decline in salmon doesn’t only affect the river—Southern Resident orcas, which rely on Chinook salmon, are also at risk. The health of the Snohomish River’s ecosystem directly impacts orcas and the entire Puget Sound food chain, including humans who consume salmon.
Call to Action: Vote Yes on Everett Initiative 24-03
Everett 24-03 offers Everett the opportunity to protect its natural resources and give salmon a chance to recover. By granting legal rights to the river, the initiative will empower citizens to challenge harmful activities and promote a healthier environment.
Protect the Snohomish River, support salmon recovery, and ensure a sustainable future for Everett. Vote yes on Initiative 24-03.
Let’s not wait for the next environmental crisis to act. The time to protect the Snohomish River is now.
More news and updates
Standing for Washington Fights Back Against Developer Lawsuit
Standing for Washington is gearing up to defend Everett Initiative 24-03 against a recent legal challenge by developers. As reported by the Everett Herald, the Master Builders Association and others have filed a lawsuit contesting the landmark measure that grants legal rights to the Snohomish River Watershed, and gives the
Can a river have rights? Everett is finding out
SOUNDSIDE, KUOW (NPR) Standing for Washington was interviewed by Soundside, a podcast on NPR Seattle affiliate KUOW, for a story on the passage of Everett Initiative 24-03. In Everett, voters approved Initiative 24-03, granting the Snohomish River watershed legal rights, such as the right to exist, flow, and regenerate. This
A River in Washington State Now Has Enforceable Legal Rights
INSIDE CLIMATE NEWS, Summary: Voters in the city of Everett chose to grant the Snohomish River watershed rights to exist, regenerate and flourish as part of a November ballot initiative. In a historic move, Everett, Washington, granted enforceable legal rights to the Snohomish River watershed, marking a major step forward