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Commissioners Address Governor to Save Snake River Dams by Lauren Kahl KLEW, November 12, 2019

Roads along the dams would be affected by dam removal, because the water holds the roads in place.

ASOTIN COUNTY, WA -- Governor Jay Inslee appointed a task force and allocated $750, 000 for the state to study the possible impacts of removing the four lower snake river dams to save salmon. They are now using these funds to travel to county commissioners in Washington State to listen to their viewpoint.

On October 31, 2019, county commissioners gathered from Asotin, Garfield, Columbia, Whitman and Wall Walla County to speak to the Governor’s consultants.

According to the Asotin County, Commissioner Brian Shinn, these commissioners collectively were against the removal of the four lower snake river dams. He explained that removing the four lower river snake dams could have devastating effects.

Commissioner Shinn says, if the dams are removed, it could destroy the infrastructure of the whole snake river area. He says, the roads along the dams would be affected because the water holds the roads in place. In addition, the dams bring more value while still maintaining good salmon return potential.

"It does not make economical or ecological sense to remove the dams," Commissioner Shinn said. “We need to continue to improve fish habitat and restoration and fish transport but dams and our economy can co-exist."

The governors consulting firm is still gathering information from business owners and government entities. The findings will be presented on January 7, 2020 in Clarkston. The meeting will be open to the public. However, a place and time has not been set for this date.