Author

Alex Baumhardt

Alex Baumhardt

Alex Baumhardt has been a national radio producer focusing on education for American Public Media since 2017. She has reported from the Arctic to the Antarctic for national and international media, and from Minnesota and Oregon for The Washington Post. She previously worked in Iceland and Qatar and was a Fulbright scholar in Spain where she earned a master's degree in digital media.

The Lower Monumental Dam on the Snake River, in southeast Washington

Feds consider removing Snake River dams in leaked agreement with plaintiffs in lawsuit

By: - November 30, 2023

The Biden administration and federal agencies are prepared to remove four lower Snake River dams to save imperiled salmon species, according to a leaked proposal among parties in a federal lawsuit and the administration’s environmental council. Republican representatives in the Northwest, as well as some electric utilities, are not pleased about the proposed agreement. The […]

Gas Transmission Northwest Express pipeline map

West Coast leaders urge feds to reverse decision allowing natural gas pipeline expansion

By: - November 24, 2023

State attorneys general in Oregon, Washington and California and two Oregon-based environmental groups are asking federal energy regulators to reconsider their approval of a natural gas pipeline project that would increase the flow of gas through the Northwest. Federal regulators voted unanimously Oct. 19 to allow Calgary-based TC Energy to expand the capacity of its […]

The Hood River-White Salmon Bridge spans the Columbia River

Projects to restore Columbia River Basin health in Oregon get $31 million

By: - November 20, 2023

Oregon tribes, state agencies, farmers and ranchers are getting more than $31 million from the federal government to reduce toxic pollution in the Columbia River and its tributaries. It’s the last of $79 million that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has dedicated to improving the health of the Columbia River Basin since 2021, under the […]

The Lower Monumental Dam on the Snake River, in southeast Washington

Court case on fate of Snake River dams, imperiled salmon postponed at least 45 more days

By: - November 1, 2023

Parties to a lawsuit challenging the federal government over its plans to continue operating dams on the Snake River at the expense of salmon runs asked a federal court in Oregon for more time to negotiate with one another. A coalition of conservation groups represented by the nonprofit environmental law organization Earthjustice, with support from […]

Gas Transmission Northwest Express pipeline map

Federal regulators approve natural gas pipeline expansion through Oregon, Washington and N. Idaho

By: - October 20, 2023

Despite opposition from Northwest Democratic leaders, federal regulators voted unanimously Thursday to allow more natural gas to flow through Oregon, Idaho, Washington and northern California. The decision, made after a 10-minute reading of agenda items by the four members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, allows Calgary-based TC Energy to expand the capacity of its […]

A gray wolf howls on top of a rock.

Oregon agrees to transfer 10 wolves to Colorado after other Western states decline

By: - October 11, 2023

Oregon has agreed to transfer wolves to Colorado after other states declined to participate in that state’s new program. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will allow Colorado’s Parks and Wildlife Department to trap and transfer up to 10 gray wolves from northeastern Oregon to Colorado. Oregon officials agreed to the plan after their […]

a windfarm in Oregon

EPA accepting applications from Northwest states, tribes for millions in grants to cut pollution

By: - October 10, 2023

State, local and tribal governments hoping to finance projects that curb pollution and greenhouse gas emissions have an opportunity to receive millions in federal funding. Officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced late last month that they have $4.6 billion in total grants available for states and hundreds of millions for Northwest states and […]

A technician turns off a gas pipeline.

Environmental groups ask Avista, Puget Sound Energy utilities to leave powerful gas lobby

By: - October 6, 2023

A coalition of 17 environmental groups are asking two of the largest electric and natural gas utilities in the Pacific Northwest to end their membership in a powerful gas trade group that’s fighting climate change policies. Environmental organizations — including the Sierra Club, Eugene-based Breach Collective and Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility — said in […]

drought empties Oregon's Detroit Lake, a reservoir between Bend and Salem

Third of Oregon counties now in a drought emergency

By: - September 9, 2023

Twelve of 36 counties, covering half the land in Oregon, are in a state of emergency over drought, with local officials calling for help. Gov. Tina Kotek Wednesday declared the latest drought emergencies in Gilliam, Douglas and Lincoln counties, the 10th, and 12th such declarations of the year. The declarations follow requests for drought aid […]

Oregon wolves

Oregon Fish and Wildlife approves killing of wolves in eastern Oregon, angering conservationists

By: - September 5, 2023

Oregon state fish and wildlife officials authorized the killing of six gray wolves in eastern Oregon during the past six weeks, bringing relief to ranchers who lost livestock to the wolves and heartache and anger to conservationists who see the killings as inhumane and ineffective. The six wolves were caught with foothold traps and then […]

Orchard View farms cherry growers in Oregon

Oregon cherry growers ask governor for disaster declaration after third bad season in a row

By: - August 8, 2023

Oregon cherry growers are asking state leaders to help them with financial relief after a third bad season spurred by climate change. On July 31, Oregon House Rep. Jeff Helfrich, R-Hood River, asked Gov. Tina Kotek to declare a disaster for the growers. “In light of current circumstances and to provide the necessary support to […]

A male coho salmon swims through water

Billions spent on hatcheries, habitat fails to help native Columbia River salmon, study finds

By: - August 4, 2023

Decades of data show that despite billions in taxpayer investment, salmon and steelhead hatchery programs and restoration projects in the Columbia River Basin have failed to support or boost native fish populations and in fact are contributing to their decline. Oregon State University economics professor William Jaeger and Mark Scheuerell, a biologist with the U.S. […]