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Officials Invite Public Comment for Lower Snake River Dams by Lauren Kahl KLEW, January 7, 2020

CLARKSTON, WA -- Many residents in the LC Valley say keeping the four lower Snake River dams in place is vital to our communities.

The $750,000 draft study has been available since December 20, 2019.

The report says the dams bring both benefits and liabilities to the region and that there is no clear consensus on whether the giant structures should be removed or retained.

The dams are blamed by many for declining Salmon runs in the Columbia-Snake River System.

The report also recognizes that the Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite are also considered a vital piece of the economy for communities between the Tri-Cities of Washington and the LC Valley.

"Especially in north-central Idaho, we're a natural resource environment in this area and so you're looking at ending all barge transportation up and down the Columbia Snake River System," Port of Lewiston Manger David Doeringsfeld said.

"I think they did very good about summarizing the opinions down here to see that survey reflected the tremendous economic impacts that breaching or removing the dams would have," Asotin Commissioner Brian Shinn said.

The commissioner strongly believes, the problems occur below Bonneville Dam, so our area is not part of this issue.

Regardless, he says, the governor also has no jurisdiction. Meaning, the governor has no authority to remove the dams because this is not a state concern but a federal matter.

The workshop will be held Tuesday January 7, 2020 at the Quality Inn in Clarkston. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the meeting begins at 6:30 p.m.