McMorris Rodgers: Columbia, Snake River Dams Vital For Northwest Agriculture

Earlier this month, Representative Cathy Morris Rodgers sent a letter to the BPA, Secretary of the Interior as well as others, expressing her concerns over Judge Michael Simon’s court order, saying that steps must be taken to improve salmon returns.  McMorris Rodgers says the judge’s ruling was especially surprising, since data shows that salmon and dams can in fact coexist.

“We’ve seen improved fish ladders, we’re seeing record salmon returns now up the Columbia and Snake Rivers, and that was not recognized in this decision, in fact he took us a step backwards to where he actually asked us to spill more water over our dams.”

McMorris Rodgers noted there is no evidence that additional water will improve the salmon numbers.  McMorris Rodgers told the Washington Ag Network Simon’s ruling will decrease electrical output at the four lower Snake River dams and increase costs by 2%-3%  She added the Columbia Snake River dams have benefited Inland Northwest Ag beyond barging and low cost electricity.

“It also has an impact on irrigation.  It’s because of the Columbia Snake River system that we have one of the most productive agriculture regions in the world.   And so, for agriculture, you think about this region, it wouldn’t be the region it is without the Columbia Snake River system.”

The letter also requests clarification from the BPA by June 1^st.  Click Here to read a copy of McMorris Rodgers letter.

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