Newhouse Decisions About Dams Should Be Made Locally
It’s been nearly two weeks since a judge ordered that additional water be spilled over the Snake River dams in an effort to improve fish populations in Eastern Washington. However, the ruling has proven very unpopular with local leaders and lawmakers. Representative Dan Newhouse and Cathy McMorris Rodgers has sponsored legislation that would return spill levels to those used in previous year.
Newhouse said since this will have the most direct impact on eastern Washingtonians and the local economy, the decision will be made locally. And that’s a respect he would easily afford his peers in western Washington.
“Puget Sound is an important body of water to a lot of people, and certainly to everyone in the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest, but when it comes to making important decisions about Puget Sound I don’t profess to be the expert, I follow the lead of those people that represent that area and would certainly look to them first anyway for their opinions on what has to happen when actions are taken regarding Puget Sound.”
Newhouse says increasing spill levels will hurt farmers, energy users, and ripple out to have an impact on most of the region.
“I would expect that since the Snake and Columbia river system is such a big part of the economy of not only Eastern Washington, but also Oregon, Idaho and Montana, that we could expect the same difference from my colleagues on the western side of the state towards the river.”
Newhouse is asking those opposed to the additional spill over the dams to contact lawmakers in D.C. to make their thoughts known.
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