The Diablo, Gorge, and Ross dams cut through the Skagit River in Northwest Washington State, slicing the running water into three man-made lakes surrounded by the mountains of the North Cascades National Park. Despite the pristine surroundings, the three hydroelectric dams have recently ignited controversy over their impact on the river's salmon. The dams have directly decreased the salmon population over the years and the fish have had enough. They're taking Seattle to court.
In the case Salmon vs. Seattle, the Sauk-Suiattle Tribe is seeking legal action against the municipality on behalf of the salmon population. Sauk-Suiattle had previously attempted other legal maneuvers to improve the salmon's plight. They filed a lawsuit claiming Seattle was greenwashing by labeling the dams the "nation's greenest utility," despite contradicting evidence. They also attempted to file for legal reparations on the grounds the city disregarded state and federal laws in not providing the fish passages through the dams. Neither of these proved effective, so the Indigenous tribe decided to speak for the fish themselves, claiming the dams violated the population's fundamental right to thrive.
