Walsh: Removing Dams Has Nothing To Do With Orcas

Aberdeen Republican Jim Walsh said Water Management Issues will be one of the biggest topics the Ag community needs to follow this session.  Many, including Governor Jay Inslee have called for the removal of the dams in an effort to save migrating salmon.  But, new this year, is the argument that removing the dams will save orcas in Puget Sound.  Opponents of the dams say by removing the dams, salmon numbers will increase helping the orcas thrive.

Walsh said that is a dishonest argument.

“We want to make sure the talk about helping the orcas doesn’t go that direction.  Because pulling dams really has nothing to do with saving whales, and everything to do with jamming up the Ag interests in our state.  And we don’t want to mess with our dams system.”

Walsh added there are some easy tactics to help the orcas right now, such as increasing production of hatchery salmon and other fish that serve as feed stocks.

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