"A celebration decades in the making launches the removal of two dams on the Elwha River in Olympic National Park.

Saturday's gathering of dignitaries at the Elwha Dam is a triumph of environmental, political and cultural tenacity that inspires superlatives to describe a river's return to its origins:

"Removal of the two fish-blocking dams from the Elwha River is probably the most significant restoration action in the history of the Pacific Northwest."

So declared Jacques White, executive director of Long Live the Kings, Michael Schmidt, director of Fish Programs for Long Live the Kings, and Lars Mobrand, outgoing chair, Hatchery Scientific Review Group, in a recent Seattle Times op-ed piece."

Get the Story:
Editorial: The return of the Elwha River finally begins (The Seattle Times 9/17)

Another Opinion:
Don Evans: The Elwha offers model of collaboration and shrewd investment (The Seattle Times 9/7)

Related Stories:
Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe praises start of dam breaching work (09/15)
National Parks: Secretary Salazar to celebrate removal of dam (9/14)
Blog: Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe's hatchery threatens salmon (9/13)
Lower Elwha Klallam to auction items from removal of dams (9/8)
EnergyBiz: Dam breaching benefits Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe (9/7)
KLCC: Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe restoring salmon at hatchery (8/24)
Blog: Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe holds ceremony for First Salmon (8/22)
OPB: Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe keeps an eye on health of rivers (8/17)
Opinion: Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe could hurt salmon recovery (8/3)
Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe welcomes dam removal for salmon (7/29)