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Salmon Matter More Than Dams by Edward Rykiel Tri-City Herald, July 5, 2023

Salmonids did not evolve to swim up and down
a series of artificial warm-water lakes.

The Tri-City Herald boldly showed its bias in an opinion piece disparaging people and groups in favor of removing four Snake River dams. On one hand, the board suggests those favoring dam removal are biased in favor of fish and politicized the issue by sending a letter to NOAA, while on the other hand the board praises our Republican representatives for presenting their biased opinion of dam benefits to other House members.

The board cites the Capital Press, a weekly agricultural newspaper, that bases its report on a single NOAA source who says data show salmonids are doing fine, but who apparently does not make any distinction between hatchery versus wild fish. The board dismisses the actual NOAA report stating dam removal is the "centerpiece action" for fish restoration because the official report came from the Biden Administration.

Dams are not the only factor affecting salmonid survival, but they are a big factor. Salmonids did not evolve in an ecosystem that required them to swim up fish ladders and across a series of artificial lakes to get to spawning habitat. We forced that on them, and if they don't survive, we can hug our dams and blame those other factors.

Related Pages:
Letter to NOAA Shows How Far Snake Dam Opponents Will Go to Control the Narrative by Editorial Board, Tri-City Herald, 6/22/23
Amid a Battle Over Snake River Dams, a Look at How the Salmon are Doing by Matthew Weaver, Capital Press, 5/18/23
More on the Lower Snake River Dams Story by Gregg Servheen, Capital Press, 6/3/23