Bishops Call for Care of Columbia River

Twelve Roman Catholic bishops in the Pacific Northwest called Thursday for environmental stewardship in the Columbia River watershed, saying environmentalists and business interests need to work together to protect the common good of the region.

The bishops from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia issued the pastoral letter after four years of study. They said the river and its tributaries are a measure of both environmental and spiritual health,and “are intended by God to be living water: bountiful and healthy providers for the common good.”