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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 21, 2019)
B5 THE ASTORIAN • SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2019 Study looks at benefi ts, liabilities of Snake River dams Blamed for declining salmon runs By NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS Associated Press SPOKANE, Wash. — Four federal hydroelectric dams along the Snake River in Washington state bring both benefi ts and liabilities to the region, and there is no clear consensus in the state on whether the giant struc- tures should be removed or retained, a new report said. The state Legislature last spring appropriated $750,000 to study the dams, which are blamed by many for declining salmon runs in the Columbia-Snake river system. The salmon are a key food source for killer whales, which are also endangered. The report is intended to help Washington lawmak- ers decide how to respond to an upcoming federal review of the dams and whether they should be removed. That court-ordered review is expected to be released in February. The report released Fri- day included data from inter- views with 100 people and groups. But it did not include any recommendations and did not look at impacts out- side of Washington. “Salmon, orca, agricul- ture and energy are funda- mental to Washington’s past and future,’’ the report said, noting the four dams have touched on all these issues since they were constructed more than four decades ago. The dams create winners and losers, according to the report, which was prepared as part of investigations to see if removing the dams would provide more salmon for s outhern r esident orcas to eat. The report found there are signifi cant differences among Washington residents on the impacts of breaching the dams. Dam supporters feel the “coast’’ is telling eastern Washington communities Ted S. Warren/AP Photo The Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River. what to do in a way that lacks respect, the report said. “More information is needed to create opportuni- ties for greater understand- ing,’’ the report said. The four dams are Ice Harbor, Lower Monumen- tal, Little Goose and Lower Granite, and they are located on the Snake River between the Tri-Cities of Washington and Lewiston, Idaho. The four dams generate roughly enough power to supply the city of Seattle for a year, and allow navigation of barges between Lewiston and the Tri-Cities, and even- tually to Pacifi c ports. All species of salmon in the Snake River are listed as threatened or endangered and the dams are the biggest man-made obstacles they face, the report said. The dams block fi sh migration, change river con- ditions and reduce the sur- vival rate of fi sh, the report said. That creates losers among fi shing communities and Indian tribes who depend on salmon. Supporters of breaching the dams say it is the only method that has not been tried to increase salmon popula- tions, the report said. About $17 billion has been spent on other efforts to increase salmon runs, the report said, “without reversing the down- ward population trend.” Supporters of breach- ing the dams say the power they provide primarily acts as a reserve supply, and the electricity is generally not used to meet primary energy demands. But people who support keeping the dams say los- ing the power would hurt the state’s goal of being car- bon free by 2045, especially as the population grows and coal plants are retired. Breaching the dams would also eliminate the use of barges to transport agri- cultural products down the river, the report said. Barges are cleaner and cheaper than truck or rail transportation, the report said. The dams provide irriga- tion water for about 47,000 acres of farmland, and that benefi t would also be lost if the dams are breached, the report said. Supporters of breach- ing the dams say it would be important to make farmers whole, so they do not suffer economic losses, the report said. People who want to keep the dams contend the loss of barging “would have disas- trous ramifi cations for farm- ers,’’ the report said. Removing the dams would result in the loss of some recreational activities, such as swimming beaches, the report said. But it would also provide new whitewater recreation opportunities, the report said. Those who want to breach the dams contend the cost of maintaining the giant structures will continue to increase and they will become cost-ineffective over time, the report said. “Although differences remain deep, for each issue there also are clear opportu- nities to increase understand- ing,’’ the report said. “There is both hope and despair about what comes next and the potential for progress,’’ the report said. The environmental group American Rivers said the report is a reminder of shared values. “We want a future with clean energy, thriving agri- culture and salmon runs that honor tribal treaty rights and support strong communi- ties,’’ Wendy McDermott of American Rivers said in a press release. The report is “an hon- est look at how we’ve man- aged the Snake River and the true cost of declining salmon runs,’’ said Tom France of the National Wildlife Federation. Classifieds Searching for Employees? GARAGE SALE SELL YOUR VEHICLE HERE! SEASON IS HERE! If it Drives or Floats... PLACE YOUR JOB POSTING HERE ONLY Special Includes: $ 25 • 2 Weeks in Print & Online • Logo Included • Facebook Boost • Featured Advertising $ 49.95 ys for 3 da Call 800.781.3214 to ADVERTISE TODAY! Call Brittany at 800-781-3214 ADVERTISE TODAY 800.781.3214 If it doesn’t sell in two weeks We will give you two weeks for FREE! 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