ANDREW CUTLER
Publisher/Editor
KATHRYN B. BROWN
Owner
WYATT HAUPT JR.
News Editor
JADE McDOWELL
Hermiston Editor
THURSDAy, MARCH 25, 2021
A4
Founded October 16, 1875
OUR VIEW
Consensus
reached
on dam
removal
I
n crafting his plan for the removal of
the dams on the lower Snake River,
Rep. Mike Simpson has managed to
forge consensus between farm, shipping
and environmental interests on his idea.
They all hate it.
Blessed are the peacemakers. They may
be children of God, but often find surpris-
ingly little support at home.
Simpson, R-Idaho, has not proposed
legislation, but on Feb. 7 released a $33.5
billion concept for salmon recovery, which
includes removing the Lower Granite,
Little Goose, Lower Monumental and Ice
Harbor dams on the lower Snake River in
2030 and 2031.
It is a bold plan, a grand compromise
that seeks to address the competing needs
of those who want the dams removed and
those who depend on the status quo for
their livelihoods, electrical energy, trans-
portation and irrigation.
In short, Simpsons plan would:
• Require that the electrical power
generated by the dams be replaced, and
that the new infrastructure would be opera-
tional before the dams are breached.
• Provide money for: river restoration,
the development of transportation infra-
structure to replace barge traffic, economic
development for communities impacted by
the breaching, watershed projects and irri-
gation infrastructure.
• Require that all other dams in the
Columbia Basin that generate more than
5 megawatts of electricity be granted an
automatic 35-year license extension.
• Prohibit for 35 years any litigation
related to anadromous fish within the
Columbia River system under the Endan-
gered Species Act, National Environmental
Policy Act or the Clean Water Act, and stay
any ongoing litigation.
As we said, a grand compromise, but
one that none of the major stakeholders will
accept.
Despite promises that their concerns
will be addressed, farmers and ranch-
ers worry about whether they will get the
water they need, or will be able to ship
product. Electric utilities worry they won’t
have a reliable source of power and barge
interests worry about their jobs disappear-
ing.
Environmental interests love the idea of
breaching the dams, but leaving the others
unchallenged for 35 years is crazy talk.
And filing lawsuits is their raison d’etre.
A group of 17 environmental organiza-
tions says Simpson’s plan would speed up
salmon extinction and harm human health,
calling it “untenable.”
In releasing the plan, Simpson said he
didn’t draft legislation because an ambi-
tious concept, such as he proposed, needs
to involve all the stakeholders and the
states impacted.
We don’t think the plan as proposed ever
had a chance, but Simpson should be given
credit for starting a conversation. Does
anyone want to talk?
We know what everyone doesn’t want
and what they won’t accept, but what do
they want and what will they accept?
New pup paws his way into our hearts
TAMMY
MALGESINI
INSIDE MY SHOES
A
6-month-old German shep-
herd/Siberian husky mix
recently made the Malgesini
pack complete again. A month after
losing Lucifer, my husband’s 11-year-
old German shepherd, John and I were
thrilled to bring Biko home.
However, my 8-year-old German
shepherd initially wasn’t too keen on
having to share his space and our atten-
tion with the rambunctious bundle of
energy. John and I fully anticipated there
would be an adjustment period for the
General.
When I filled out the adoption appli-
cation, it asked what circumstances
might lead us to surrender the dog. I
checked the box that said “doesn’t get
along with current pets.” However, after
the first 24 hours, I realized that the
General and I would have to leave before
taking Biko away from John.
Using criteria outlined in the Diag-
nostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, if my sweet boy were human,
I’m certain the General would fall on
the autism spectrum. His circle of trust
is small, including only members of
the Malgesini pack and gram-mama
(and that’s contingent on her doling
out treats). When encountering other
humans and canines, the General is
fine as long as they respect his personal
bubble.
On the other paw, Biko is quite socia-
ble. During the Mikey’s Chance Canine
Rescue meet and greet event at Paw’s
Natural Pet Emporium in Kennewick,
Washington, he excitedly wagged his tail
and nuzzled up to both humans and other
dogs.
Biko’s unfettered exuberance in
meeting the General was not recipro-
cal. My canine kid initially barked and
growled at Biko or ignored him by phys-
ically turning his head — as if trying
to convince himself, “If I can’t see him,
then he’s not there.”
After three days of intense facilitated
socialization, the General’s heart finally
began to soften for his new little brother.
In addition to now being able to coexist
in the same room, they playfully romp
together in the backyard.
John instantly fell in love with the pup
after seeing his profile and pictures on
Petfinder. Because of past experiences
with Gastineau, our second German
shepherd, I was somewhat hesitant with
adopting another rescue dog. However,
since Becky Geyer of Geyer German
Shepherds had retired several years
ago — we got our last three German
shepherds from her — we were faced
with finding another source to add to our
pack.
While I was somewhat familiar with
Mikey’s Chance, I wasn’t aware of the
extensive process involved with adopt-
ing a dog from them. The nonprofit
organization’s thoroughness and
commitment in finding the right match
for dogs in their care isn’t the only thing
they do right. Rather than housing dogs
waiting to be adopted in a kennel facility,
the dogs live in foster homes with people
that love them while providing care,
socialization and basic training.
When we adopted Biko, in addition to
already being house-trained and crate-
trained, he understood basic commands.
The biggest plus for us was how social
he is, which certainly contributed to
how quickly he connected with John and
me. And despite the initial rebuffs, Biko
pawed his way into the General’s heart.
———
Tammy Malgesini, the former East
Oregonian community editor, enjoys
spending time with her husband and
German shepherds, as well as entertain-
ing herself with random musings.
Their program lacks a little some-
thing, but I can’t quite put my finger
on it.
Rick Rohde
Pendleton
the nation who are now committed to
exerting raw power whenever possible.
They’re suppressing the votes of Amer-
icans if it’s suspected those votes might
benefit other candidates. Is there any
reason to think that the Republicans
Party of Oregon is different after:
• passing a resolution claiming the
obvious falsehood that the Jan. 6 insur-
rection of Trump cult followers was a
false flag operation,
• electing as party chair an individ-
ual who joined the Bundy gang of armed
hooligan insurrectionists occupying the
Malheur Wildlife refuge a few years ago,
• childishly demanding bills are read
in full,
• regularly walking out of Oregon
Capitol committee meetings and cham-
ber discussions.
Seemingly, Oregon Republicans
lack any commitment to representative
democracy and remain committed to
exerting the tyranny of the minority.
Alan Journet
Jacksonville
YOUR VIEWS
City program lacks
a little something
Pendleton City Manager Robb
Corbett has announced, despite the
pandemic, increased tax revenue from
marijuana and alcohol sales will result
in an end-of-the-year cash balance that
exceeds that at the year’s beginning.
What he failed to mention is that
borrowing is also at an all-time high
requiring the city council to approve
a request to Banner Bank to increase
the city’s credit limit to $10 million in
support of future planned projects.
Public works has announced its
intention to proceed with a project to
widen Despain Avenue. A little history
on that one. A proposal by the city
to do the vary same back in the late
1960s or early 1970s was fought tooth
and nail by residents and ultimately
abandoned. Meanwhile, North Main
has continued to rapidly deteriorate
with potholes near the size of manhole
covers.
Oregon GOP lacks
any commitment to
representative democracy
Certain expectations exist in repre-
sentative democracies. Chief among
these is that elected legislators attend
floor sessions of the chamber to which
they were elected, and attend meetings
and conduct the business of committees
to which they have been assigned. Repre-
sentative democracy is undermined by
legislators who fail to fulfill the duties
for which they were elected and swore to
undertake.
Regrettably, Oregon Republicans
have fallen prey to the anti-demo-
cratic behaviors of Republicans across
EDITORIALS
Unsigned editorials are the opinion of the East Oregonian editorial
board. Other columns, letters and cartoons on this page express
the opinions of the authors and not necessarily that of the East
Oregonian.
letters that address concerns about individual services and products
or letters that infringe on the rights of private citizens. Letters must be
signed by the author and include the city of residence and a daytime
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letters will not be published.
LETTERS
The East Oregonian welcomes original letters of 400 words or less
on public issues and public policies for publication in the newspaper
and on our website. The newspaper reserves the right to withhold
SEND LETTERS TO:
editor@eastoregonian.com,
or via mail to Andrew Cutler,
211 S.E. Byers Ave. Pendleton, OR 97801