MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR
THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY
THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY
THE CHAIR OF THE COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
SUBJECT: Halting Extreme Environmentalism to Harness Power for the Columbia River Basin
By the authority granted to me as President under the Constitution and federal laws of the United States, I hereby issue the following directives:
It is crucial to safeguard the American populace’s right to fully utilize our abundant natural resources, ensuring the prosperity and well-being of our nation. My Administration is dedicated to shielding citizens from radical environmental policies that inflate living costs while simultaneously striving to maximize the productive use of our existing energy infrastructure and natural resources to generate affordable energy.
For instance, the Presidential Memorandum dated September 27, 2023 (Restoring Healthy and Abundant Salmon, Steelhead, and Other Native Fish Populations in the Columbia River Basin) prioritizes “equitable treatment for fish” and misguided climate concerns over the nation’s need for dependable energy resources and the welfare of American families. Among the Biden Administration’s contemplated measures tied to this memorandum was the breaching of four dams on the Lower Snake River, which would eliminate over 3,000 megawatts of reliable, affordable hydroelectric power. Such reckless actions, if enacted, would have catastrophic consequences for the region, with no feasible alternatives to replace the low-cost, baseload energy supply, disrupt vital shipping channels, diminish water availability for local agriculture, or eradicate recreational opportunities currently enjoyed by the community.
To avert these detrimental outcomes, I hereby revoke the Presidential Memorandum of September 27, 2023. Furthermore, within 15 days from the date of this memorandum, the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, under the direction of the Secretary of the Army (collectively referred to as the heads of departments), are to take all necessary actions to withdraw from the Memorandum of Understanding filed on December 14, 2023, in relation to the Columbia River System litigation, National Wildlife Federation v. National Marine Fisheries Service, 3:01-cv-640-SI (D. Or.), Dkt. 2450-1 (MOU).
The heads of departments are also instructed to rescind the “Notice of Intent to Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the Columbia River System Operations” as published in the Federal Register on December 18, 2024. As deemed appropriate, they shall devise a timetable to complete the Supplemental Columbia River System Environmental Impact Statement and reissue the Notice of Intent in accordance with that timeline and in line with any updated National Environmental Policy Act procedures. This schedule must be reported to the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), who shall facilitate regular meetings among the heads of departments and any other relevant Federal stakeholders to receive updates on the environmental review process.
Within 30 days from the date of this memorandum, the heads of departments are to identify and report to the President via the Chair of CEQ on:
(i) all actions taken pursuant to or consistent with the Presidential Memorandum of September 27, 2023, including the MOU;
(ii) the status of all Federal commitments made under the Presidential Memorandum of September 27, 2023, and the MOU, along with identification of any that may align with my Administration’s policies;
(iii) any measures that might be necessary to rescind or recover Federal funds allocated to implement the MOU; and
(iv) any actions already undertaken and those that must be pursued to withdraw from the MOU.
This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, establish any legal rights or benefits, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other individual.
DONALD J. TRUMP
