This blog entry is to bring awareness to the tribes in so called Oregon about the practice of running landfill leachate through sewage treatment plants that discharge into the Willamette River. It is an effort to reach anyone who cares about us and the condition of the planet. Green text is from or inspired by Joel Grier. Blue text is War Chief Mko
“This probably impacts Indigenous people more than anyone, because of the importance of salmon and lamprey from that river for tribes from all over the region, even Warm Springs and Yakama Nation. They all come to Willamette Falls for lamprey, from what I’ve heard” Joel Grier Hydrogeologist/Bird Surveyor
A 2008-2009 EPA study found high levels of PFAS (carcinogenic “forever” chemicals) in fish in the Willamette River, also the Tualatin and Rogue Rivers. Wherever they sampled fish tissue downstream of a treatment plant that takes landfill leachate, the fish were contaminated.
The only “clean” fish out of 5 sites sampled in Oregon were on the North Fork Santiam below Stayton (which has a sewage treatment plant that takes water from local industries, but not from any landfills). Right now the City of Salem is trying to decide whether to take more leachate from Coffin Butte. Word through the grapevine is that they’re leaning toward telling Republic NO, but there’s still a chance they might say yes. Salem has only been charging them 4 cents a gallon to pollute the river.
Toxic Algae: leachate indeed can cause algae growth from high concentration of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. When leachate contaminates a water source, these nutrients act as a fertilizer, leading to an overgrowth of algae known as an algal bloom. How leachate causes algae blooms Nutrient overload: Leachate from sources like landfills contains high levels of nutrients, particularly ammonia, nitrates, and phosphates.
Fertilization of water bodies: When this nutrient-rich leachate runs off into rivers, lakes, and streams, it provides an excess of food for algae.
Rapid growth: Nutrient overload causes algae to multiply rapidly, creating an algae bloom. Consequences of algal blooms are oxygen depletion. When algae die, their decomposition uses up a large amount of dissolved oxygen in the water, suffocating fish and other aquatic organisms. Overgrowth can cause algae dead zones.
Ecosystem disruption: The overall balance of the aquatic ecosystem is disrupted, leading to a less healthy environment. Some algal blooms can produce toxins that are harmful to aquatic life, pets, and humans. Leachate toxicity and algae While nutrient-rich leachate can promote some algae growth, it can also be toxic. High concentrations of heavy metals and other toxic compounds in leachate can actually inhibit or kill algae, a phenomenon that is being studied for potential bioremediation purposes. What is Leachate: Hidden Dangers in Landfill Water – ACTenviro Apr 1, 2025 — Leachate can leak from landfills and infiltrate underground water sources, making drinking water unsafe. Toxic metals can cause neurological disorders.
ScienceDirect.com Microplastics leachate may play a more important role than previously expected. Jul 1, 2023 — Highlights. • Microplastics leachate inhibits growth of Chlorella vulgaris. Concentration of microplastics leachate greatly inhibited microalgal grow. WTF?
Leachate from landfill contains concentrated nutrients that may enter the terrestrial and aquatic environment, including nearby coastal areas. Cyanobacteria Blooms are highly toxic. Escherichia coli Behavior in the Presence of Organic Matter Released by Algae Exposed to Water Treatment Chemicals
I send this message to alert tribal people of the source a source of pollution to the Willamette River. We partly created the fledgling pan indigenous government because the federal tribes are coherced on everything they say or do because they are wards of the federal government. Those entire nations are being treated like foster children. In addition some or even many are corrupt. For this reason we are speaking to the indigenous masses. Power to the people. It is you i must reach with this message foremost. If i could speak plainly for a minute. There is some sneaky ass shit going on and multiple agencies and corporations are involved and assisting each other. An spirit of corruption hangs in the air and the tribes are earily quiet about it. The science clearly indicates this is assaulting Willamala (Willamette) the river with no banks. I speculate because i have no proof that people are getting paid, possibly even threatened or otherwise coerced into staying silent or acting in reckless ways out of greed. I further speculate that there is a lack of indigenous consultation on the issue. I know from 20 years in politics in the area that commissioners and some who have run for commissioner or other city/county office got those offices by betraying the pan indigenous government because it is known we will consistently act with furious integrity and love. It is a fact that they have stepped over our dead bodies to gain these offices. I speculate even further that there is tribal corruption, class betrayal by petite bourgeoisie indigenous who want to fatten their coffers. I raise these issues and sound the alarm for the Salmon and the Eel and for all life. The river with no banks is a life vein and colonists have been doing their best to kill it the last few hundred years. Colonialism is the core contradiction. The indigenous masses can help by pressuring your tribal government to take action. It is my knowledge that they will not necessarily act correct unless you the people pressure them to do so. We learned that in Standing Rock remember? So push up on your tribe. Get in their e mail, go to the tribal department of natural resources, call somebody, do something. I implore all indigenous peoples to act immediately against the expansion of the Coffin Butte Landfill.
“Ive never seen a face so red on a European man before” Pertaining to Benton County Commissioner Pat Malone. Quote by War Chief Mko
As i finish this blog the thunderclap. A storm is coming. Lighting from the mouth of the wolf is truth.
Written By: War Chief Mko Potowatomi/Dakota using information and writing from Joel Grier Hydrogeologist/Bird Surveyor
Cover Photo by: War Chief Mko
Illahee Spirit Runners 