the film forum library tutorial contact

Idaho's Gutless Politicians by Lynnsean Young Moscow-Pullman Daily News, June 18, 2022

These are Washington dams killing Idaho salmon.

The Snake River dams report released last week demonstrates that Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and Sen. Patty Murray have finally come to the table on the four Lower Snake River dams.

While there is still a long way to go before they actually support legislation for dam breaching, their study represents a valuable step in the right direction. Murray and Inslee have, at the very least, done their jobs; listening to constituents and stakeholders and considering new and diverse opinions. Now, we wait for Idaho's elected leaders to do the same.

While Rep. Mike Simpson has been a fierce advocate for restoring the Lower Snake River and finally making Northwest communities whole, he is alone among our state's political giants. Despite recognizing that the status quo with four Lower Snake River dams is not working for Idahoans, Gov. Brad Little has refused to even consider dam breaching; Sen. Mike Crapo has stated that the dams are driving wild salmon to extinction, but he has refused to take any real action; and, when you write to Sen. James Risch about anything to do with the Lower Snake River dams, he responds with the same form letter he's been using since 2018: blaming it all on the sea lions.

These are Washington dams killing Idaho salmon. One would think that our delegation would be up in arms demanding their removal.

I envy my friends across the border. Though the road from Moscow to Pullman is less than 10 miles long, our communities are light years apart. Washington politicians act on their principles. Idaho politicians are gutless.