the film forum library tutorial contact

Breach the Lower Four Snake River Dams by Henry Roller Spokesman-Review, September 3, 2022

A power source that completely alters an ecosystem
and kills a keystone species cannot be considered clean.

I applaud Sen. Murray and Gov. Inslee's commitment to not let Washington state lose our salmon.

Words are nice, but we need action. Their recent report states that breaching the lower four Snake River dams is the best way to recover our once-abundant Snake River salmon populations. The recovery goal for wild Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon is escapement of 127,000 fish. In the past 10 years, the average has been 12,675. Four of the past five years have been below the 10-year average. They are on the path toward extinction.

The path to abundance must include breaching the lower four Snake River dams. This has been clear for decades. Taxpayers and ratepayers in the Northwest have spent billions in failed salmon recovery efforts in the Snake River. Breaching the dams would save money in the long run. As the report shows, we can use truly clean sources to replace the relatively small amount of power that the Snake River dams generate.

A power source that completely alters an ecosystem and kills a keystone species cannot be considered clean. I call on Sen. Murray, Gov. Inslee, and other Northwest lawmakers to act quickly to breach the lower four Snake River dams and replace the services that they provide. The salmon do not have time to waste. They are on the brink of extinction. For the sake of future generations, we cannot let extinction happen on our watch.

Related Pages:
Breach Snake River Dams to Save Salmon Populations by Henry Roller, Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, 3/27/22