Port Urges Whitman County Businesses, Citizens to Comment on Draft Dam Breaching Report

In late 2021, Gov. Jay Inslee and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray of Washington State announced a process to examine whether there are reasonable means for replacing the benefits provided by the four Lower Snake River Dams (LSRD). Gov. Inslee and Sen. Murray say they will use the findings from this process to determine their recommendations on a “path forward for the LSRD” by this summer. To this end, the Senator and Governor recently released the Lower Snake River Dams: Benefit Replacement Draft Report. A comment period is now open until 5 p.m. Monday, July 11, 2022.

The draft includes a list of individuals and organizations interviewed for the report in Appendix A. Unfortunately, few Whitman County businesses, citizens or elected officials were represented. The Port urges those in Whitman County – and beyond – to read the report and submit comments answering questions such as:

Businesses

How would your business operations be impacted by Snake River dam breaching? How would you quantify the economic impact to your business (in areas such as staffing, revenue, relocation of facilities, etc.)? If your business utilizes barge transportation and this was no longer available, how would you transport your commodities currently moved on the river system? What road and rail infrastructure would your business need to accommodate the loss of barging? How would your business operations be impacted by the loss of hydropower? 

Citizens

How would your quality of life be impacted by the change from slack water recreation (boating, enjoying marina facilities, riding cruise ships, etc.) to a free-flowing river (kayaking rapids, etc.)? How would your finances be impacted by breaching the four lower Snake River dams (and the subsequent loss of affordable hydropower, increase in shipping costs for agricultural producers, loss of employment at Lower Granite Lock and Dam, etc.)? How would your quality of life be impacted by increased truck transportation on your region’s highways?

Elected officials

How would Snake River dam breaching impact your municipality’s economy? What businesses and industries in your town or city would be directly or indirectly impacted? What road infrastructure would your town or city need to accommodate increased trucking of agricultural commodities and other goods? How would the loss of boating and marina facilities, such as Boyer Park & Marina, impact recreation and tourism in your municipality? What economic opportunities would your municipality need to minimize the economic impacts of dam breaching, if possible?