In 2023, members of the Yakama Nation expressed their dismay for the construction of a Goldendale-based pumped hydroelectric energy storage project. Jeremy Takala of the Yakama Nation embodies Yakama belief on the importance of Columbia River crops to food and medicine, stating "the [Goldendale] project being proposed here, it will definitely impact our life". The Goldendale-pumped hydro storage unit could allow for reused water use in reservoirs, which would be placed on mountainous terrain overlooking the Columbia River. The mountainous terrain where the unit would be placed in is Juniper Point, referred to by the Yakama as Pushpum. Pushpum has rock formations, as well as food and medicine capabilities that are essential to the Yakama. Members of the Yakama tribe wish for consent on the Goldendale project, as opposed to consultation.
in 2023 members of the yakama nation expressed their dismay for the construction of a goldendale-based pumped hydroelectric energy storage project jeremy takala of the yakama nation embodies yakama belief on the importance of columbia river crops to food and medicine stating "the [goldendale] project being proposed here it will definitely impact our life" the goldendale-pumped hydro storage unit could allow for reused water use in reservoirs which would be placed on mountainous terrain overlooking the columbia river the mountainous terrain where the unit would be placed in is juniper point referred to by the yakama as pushpum pushpum has rock formations as well as food and medicine capabilities that are essential to the yakama members of the yakama tribe wish for consent on the goldendale project as opposed to consultation