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Advocates Anxious Ahead of Lower Snake River Dam Report by Lauren Ellenbecker The Columbian, August 19, 2022

Prior to the release of a report analyzing potential lower Snake River dam breaches, regional conservation groups urged lawmakers Wednesday to consider what is at stake.

Roughly 60 non-governmental organizations rallied to deliver a message requesting urgency and meaningful action from Gov. Jay Inlsee and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., before the release of the final lower Snake River Dams Benefits Replacement Report.

"There has never been a better opportunity to correct mistakes of the past and create a future that includes abundant salmon, healthy orca populations, and a better and stronger Northwest moving forward," they wrote in a letter to Inslee and Murray. "We urge you to recognize in your action plan that restoring a resilient, free flowing lower Snake River through dam removal is an essential part of creating a comprehensive regional solution and approach."

The findings, which are anticipated next week, may push the leaders to support the removal of four hydroelectric dams along the canal, as they are slated to outline the viability of such actions. The structures -- located in Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite -- connect millions of people in the Pacific Northwest to energy but disproportionately affect fish migration, according to the report.

Inslee and Murray commissioned the Benefit Replacement Report last year to determine whether the dam removals would be necessary for salmon recovery and river restoration. A draft of the report released in June stated that the effort could cost between $10.3 billion and $27.2 billion and would require modifying shipping routes, as well as irrigation water supply plans.

Essentially, the report concluded that removing the dams are possible but at a substantial cost. But big moves, regardless of a hefty price tag, are needed to restore salmon populations to sustainable levels.

A separate report conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration last month found that removing at least one dam on the lower Snake River is required for significant change, as previously reported by the New York Times.

Removing the massive dams would require approval from Congress and a comprehensive plan, including a funding proposal and timeline. Neither Inslee nor Murray have voiced their position on the dam removals other than stating their general support of advancing salmon recovery.

The environmental troop, consisting of organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest, reiterated their message in a letter to U.S. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. They emphatically asked the senator to advocate for any prospective legislation that would support the dam removals.

"Clearly, we cannot continue the status quo of spending billions of dollars on failed recovery and mitigation efforts, expensive litigation, and outdated infrastructure," they wrote to Cantwell. "We urgently need a new approach that is legally valid, scientifically credible and fiscally responsible."

For more information on the lower Snake River dams report, visit www.lsrdoptions.org.

August 17, 2022

Dear Senator Murray and Governor Inslee:

We write to thank you for your leadership to protect and recover endangered Columbia/Snake salmon and steelhead populations, and salmon-dependent Southern Resident orcas. The work you have undertaken recently has already had a galvanizing effect on this critically important Northwest issue that has been gridlocked for far too long.

We see steadily gathering momentum for real and lasting solutions to protect and restore these iconic creatures, for all who depend upon, or simply cherish them -- progress that would not have been possible without your committed leadership. There is also a growing recognition that justice for Northwest Tribes and honoring treaties that have been too long neglected must be addressed.

The draft “Lower Snake River Dams Benefit Replacement Report” has provided the region with an honest and valuable synthesis and analysis that illuminates key issues, challenges and opportunities. Importantly, it confirms that we can replace the dams’ services with alternatives that are both feasible and affordable. We look forward with anticipation to the final version of the report.

The recent NOAA-Fisheries and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service draft report “Rebuilding Interior Columbia Basin Salmon and Steelhead,” likewise clarifies the science of salmon and orca recovery, with its clear finding that: “For Snake River stocks, it is essential that the lower Snake River be restored through dam breaching.” The report confirms and aligns with the findings of the vast majority of independent scientists, and Tribal and state fish and wildlife agencies.

The recent agreement to extend a pause in the litigation around the inadequate and illegal 2020 federal salmon plan for the Columbia/Snake River Basin includes an affirmation that:

“The Biden Administration is committed to supporting development of a durable long-term strategy to restore salmon and other native fish populations to healthy and abundant levels, honoring Federal commitments to Tribal Nations, delivering affordable and reliable clean power, and meeting the many resilience needs of stakeholders across the region.”

It is clear that you have a partner in the Biden Administration, which is also committed to social justice and honoring our nation's Tribal treaties.

We understand that the final version of the benefits replacement study will be accompanied, or soon followed, by a set of recommendations from you on a comprehensive plan to meet the goals you and the Administration share. There has never been a better opportunity to correct mistakes of the past and create a future that includes abundant salmon, healthy orca populations, and a better and stronger Northwest moving forward. We urge you to recognize in your action plan that restoring a resilient, free flowing lower Snake River through dam removal is an essential part of creating a comprehensive regional solution and approach.

We applaud your vision and leadership and commit to working with you and others to support in every way we can the kind of bold and comprehensive solutions that it will make these goals a reality.