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Dam Politics by Nicholas K. Geranios Rocky Mountain News, August 27, 2008

SPOKANE, Wash. - As the political season moves into high gear, two members of Congress from Eastern Washington are staunchly defending four dams on the Snake River that environmentalists have long sought to breach. Even though no Democrats are currently calling for removal of the dams, U.S. Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Doc Hastings have gone on offense in the past couple of months, loudly touting the benefits of hydropower. The four dams produce enough electricity to power Seattle, and also allow barges full of grain and fuel to operate between the Tri-Cities and Lewiston, Idaho, reducing truck traffic. But they are also blamed for decimating Columbia River salmon runs, and conservationists for years have sought their removal.