The removal of the Chambers Creek Dam would provide unrestricted access to spawning grounds for salmon in Chambers, Leach, Flett, Clover, Spanaway, Ponce de Leon, and Morey Creeks, habitat that is at its best experiencing extreme declines in salmon return counts and at its worst been without salmon for decades.

This dam, which produces no electricity has blocked salmon migration for nearly a hundred years. It also blocks the natural silt-flow and depositing needed to maintain a healthy estuary. Over the past few decades, its impacts have been magnified with increasing development pressure in the watershed. It needs to be removed as soon as possible.

The good news is the removal project is currently being studied. The bad news is the county, fearing impacts to a nearby road, is stalling. At this rate, the removal of the Chambers Creek dam could be as much as 8 years away. This is too long for us, it's too long for the Southern Resident Orcas, and it's too long for the salmon.

If the county can't remove the dam outright, let's compromise. A partial lowering of the Chambers Creek Dam would minimize erosion risks while allowing easier fish passage and the slow rebuilding of the estuary.

Please join us and calling on the Pierce County Council to support this expedient and cost-effective step to restoring the Clover-Chambers watershed.