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Kym Buzdygon

Public Affairs Division Director

Kym Buzdygon joined the Council staff as lead Communications Specialist in February 2024. Prior to the Council, Kym held a variety of public sector and nonprofit roles for organizations including the New York City Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget, Washington County Solid Waste and Recycling, the Pasadena Audubon Society, the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and SeattleWorks. Kym received an M.P.A from the University of Washington Evans School of Public Policy and Governance and both a B.A. in Biology and a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Oberlin College.

kbuzdygon@nwcouncil.org

503-820-2319

Kym's recent news posts

Annual update on ocean conditions predicts average adult returns for 2025/2026

NOAA’s 2024 ‘Stoplight’ report shows mixed signals, average forecasted adult returns for salmon and steelhead.

Council briefings on Fish and Wildlife Program continue in advance of deadline for recommendations

At its March 12 meeting, the Council heard additional briefings on the 2014/2020 Fish and Wildlife Program as the deadline nears for state and federal agencies, tribes, NGOs, the public, and more to submit recommendations.

Council hears updates on the Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement from state and tribal representatives

The Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement represents a series of commitments between the federal government and regional entities.

Council approves $19M in nonrecurring maintenance needs for FY2025-2027

At its January meeting, the Council voted to recommend that Bonneville fund $19M in requests for nonrecurring maintenance of fish screens in FY2025-FY2027.

Staff presentation on Fish and Wildlife Program goals and objectives shows positive trends in overall abundance, getting more fish above Bonneville Dam

Staff presented progress on the Fish and Wildlife Program, including tracking positive trends in total abundance in the Columbia River Basin and an increase in salmon and steelhead migrating past Bonneville Dam.

Idaho portion of the Southern Idaho Wildlife Mitigation project surpassed acreage goal while staying on budget

BPA and IDFG reported on the success of the project, with plans for ongoing stewardship.

Updates on Columbia River Estuary Restoration

Representatives from BPA, the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership, the Columbia Land Trust, and the Columbia River Estuary Taskforce presented on habitat restoration projects and ongoing research in the estuary.

Council hears updates on modernized Columbia River Treaty from the federal negotiating team

Members of the federal negotiating team presented to the Council on the recently released agreement in principle to modernize the Columbia River Treaty.

Council approves next steps for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Waterwheel Hatchery Program and priorities for FY2025 fish screens

The Council approved the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe’s Waterwheel Hatchery Program Step 1 review and a recommendation to Bonneville to fund non-recurring maintenance for fish screens in FY2025.

What’s Next for Reintroducing Salmon in the Upper Columbia River Basin?

The Council hosted a discussion on the next phases to study and test the feasibility of reintroducing salmon in the upper Columbia, with tribal members and representatives from several federal agencies presenting.

Integrating energy and the environment in the Columbia River Basin

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The Council works to protect and enhance fish and wildlife in the Columbia River Basin. Its Fish & Wildlife Program guides project funding by the Bonneville Power Administration.

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The Council develops a plan, updated every five years, to assure the Pacific Northwest of an adequate, efficient, economical, and reliable power supply.

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