Ports, River Users Respond to Simpson’s Dam Breaching Proposal
On February 6, Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho unveiled a $33.5 billion proposal to breach the four lower Snake River dams by the end of the next decade.
The $33.5 billion price tag attempts to replace the dams’ myriad benefits – from power to transportation – and end years of salmon litigation.
The historic move marks the first time a sitting senior elected official has proposed breaching dams still in operation. Moreover, Simpson’s proposal calls to remove highly successful, run-of-river dams with nearly 100% effective fish passage. In exchange, the plan would grant “certainty” for fish-blocking dams in Idaho.
Voices across the nation have since weighed in on the proposal, including ports, wheat growers and representatives in Eastern Washington. Here is a roundup of those regional voices considering what Simpson’s plan would mean for our communities.
- The Port of Whitman County issued a statement strongly opposing the proposal’s narrow focus on dam breaching. “Dismantling the river system that provides clean, reliable hydropower and the most environmentally-sound means of cargo transport runs counter to our nation’s climate change priorities,” said Executive Director Joe Poire. “We also know that real people up and down the Columbia-Snake River System risk losing more than their livelihoods. This plan doesn’t begin to offer our communities ‘certainty, security and viability.’”
- The Port of Lewiston reiterated their support for the benefits of the Columbia-Snake River System and stated their opposition to Simpson’s plan. “Congressman Simpson’s proposal to end salmon litigation by breaching the four lower Snake River dams does little to restore abundant fish runs,” Manager David Doeringsfeld told the Lewiston Tribune. “His proposal throws billions of taxpayer dollars at unproven ideas and provides no explanation on how his ideas would be implemented. We hope Congressman Simpson will join with leaders throughout Idaho and support sound salmon recovery measures such as those recently outlined in Governor Little’s Salmon Work Group. The port is in discussion with the congressman on his proposal.”
- Port of Clarkston Manager Wanda Keefer issued the following statement: “We have studied the benefits and impacts of the river system to our port and community in detail. Rep. Simpson's proposal puts politics over science and local jobs. The proposal does not even begin to address the many costs Southeast Washington and North Central Idaho will experience if we are forced to transition our entire culture and economy away from connection with the rivers. In order to understand our culture and values, Rep. Simpson should engage with community leaders from the entire region.”
- The Washington Association of Wheat Growers weighed in on the Congressman’s proposal in a joint article with the Washington Grain Commission. “It is frustrating and sad for the Representative to suggest that all of the work that has been accomplished to ensure salmon survival on the lower Snake River has been for nothing, and that his idea of forward progress is to breach four dams in Washington,” said Michelle Hennings, executive director of the association. “This plan does not comprehend the devastation removing the four lower Snake River dams would have on industries, the environment, the economy, safety, reliability in moving crops and crop inputs, and our communities. Even if possible, the price tag is likely far beyond $32 billion for the region and beyond. Rep. Simpson—who represents a large agricultural constituency in his district—should know better.”
- The Washington Grain Commission asked the Congressman to consider the dams that block fish in Idaho. “First of all, if the Representative is so interested in dams and getting fish back to Idaho, I’d suggest he look at those within his state that were built without fish passage, cutting fish off from pristine habitat. Secondly, while a portion of the $32 billion may attempt to address a slice of the economic pain that would result from breaching the four dams, it cannot begin to address the economies of businesses and communities dependent upon the Columbia-Snake River System,” said Glen Squires, CEO of the Washington Grain Commission. “Making Simpson’s proposal even worse is a self-serving call to place a moratorium on any type of litigation for public and private dams, including those that completely block fish migration.”
- Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers released the following statement: “Proposals that include breaching the Lower Snake River Dams in the name of protecting salmon populations are flawed and fail to account for the sweeping impacts that would be felt across the region. With greater than 95 percent passage, these dams are not the greatest threat to fish survival. Our oceans are, coupled with predation and habitat loss. We need to focus on solutions that will get results, like cleaning up Puget Sound and restoring salmon runs there. These dams are the beating heart of Eastern Washington and provide the entire Pacific Northwest with clean, renewable, reliable, and affordable energy. Spending more than $33 billion to breach them – with no guarantee that doing so will restore salmon populations – is a drastic, fiscally irresponsible leap to take. I look forward to continued conversations with my colleagues on the importance of the Lower Snake River Dams and solutions that will benefit all users of the Columbia River System.”
- Along with McMorris Rodgers, Representatives Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Jaime Herrera Butler (WA-03) and Russ Fulcher (ID-01) signed a resolution reaffirming their support for the United States’ use of clean, renewable hydropower. “The hydropower developed in the Pacific Northwest benefits every resident, family, and business in our region, and it’s an important component of the all-of-the-above energy strategy that will ensure the United States maintains energy independence and leadership on the global stage,” said the Representatives. “The clean, renewable power generated by the dams along the Columbia and Snake Rivers supplies half of the Pacific Northwest’s energy and is critical for a reliable power grid. Without it, life as we know it in our region would cease to exist.”
- Rep. Joe Shmick, R-Colfax, also spoke out against Simpson’s dam breaching proposal. “I believe this to be a mistake. I do not support removal of these dams. There is no guarantee it will bring back any salmon in sufficient numbers, and currently there is no way to replace both the irrigation and power needs to the local agricultural communities.”
About the Author: Sarah Highfield is the Communications Director of the Port of Whitman County.
