This GOP congressman wants to remove 4 dams to save Idaho's salmon. It'll cost billions.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

ENVIRONMENT

This GOP congressman wants to remove 4 dams to save Idaho’s salmon. It’ll cost billions.

BY ROCKY BARKER IDAHO STATESMAN SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
FEBRUARY 06, 2021 10:00 PM

An Idaho Republican congressman wants to end the salmon wars by removing select hydroelectric dams, replacing the electricity lost, paying communities and businesses, and giving American Indian tribes more power.

A $33 billion Pacific Northwest energy and infrastructure proposal would end litigation over endangered salmon and authorize the removal of four dams on the Snake River in Washington beginning in 2030. U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson of East Idaho released the plan after asking more than 300 groups what they would need if the dams came out.

Power marketed by the Bonneville Power Administration from the four controversial dams would be replaced. Shippers and farmers would get funds for alternatives to the barge shipping on the Snake and compensation for closed barge facilities. Lewiston in Idaho and the Tri-Cities in Washington would get billions for economic development.

Farmers across the Pacific Northwest, including those in Idaho’s Magic Valley, would get billions of dollars in incentives for water-quality projects. Farmers in Washington that now pump out of the reservoirs behind the Snake dams would get millions in compensation that they could use for altering their diversions. ... The plan would be funded by a federal infrastructure bill.

{snip}

[yonder]

1. They've been studying this for decades.

It's about time to DO IT.

[Cattledog]

2. I agree with removing the dams.

[2naSalit]

3. Hell must have froze up.

I have argued with that guy over this and I am floored that he has any compunction to agree to this. But then, Idaho has probably never seen a billion $ before so maybe he can influence those who need influencing.

I hope they breach those dams before all the salmon species are gone. It will help save the forests of the north/central Rockies.

[yonder]

6. Of Idaho's 4 congresscritters, Rep. Simpson does the right thing some of the time.

The others, not so much except perhaps the rare effort from Sen. Crapo. Getting rid of the 4 Lower Snake dams sure doesn't sound like Simpson though. He does have some cred with the enviro community because of collaborative work in establishing the the Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds and Hemmingway-Boulders Wilderness Areas within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.

Yes, it's way past time do get rid of those four Lower Snake dams. I wonder what will have to be agreed to in order to gain support from the pro-dam opposition?

[2naSalit]

8. Last time I was down that way...

Along the Snake River, I noticed a few stands of those giant wind turbines, maybe they can transition to that and solar. Back in the day, much of that power went to Kaiser Aluminum, wasn't it? I can't remember all the details I once had packed neatly into my brain.

[yonder]

10. Not positive but I don't think

the Snake/Columbia aluminum industry (Alcoa, etc.) and its power needs is the player it once was.

Now I think it's the low cost barge shipping for agriculture using inland ports as far upstream as Lewiston, Idaho that are squawking the most.

[2naSalit]

11. And there really aren't very many jobs there...

It would be best to improve the rail lines for shipping grain, mostly. Back when i was lobbying about that, I think it was a whopping 29 jobs at stake in Lewiston.

I think Hanford and Kaiser/Alcoa were the main recipients of the power generated. After the war, there wasn't much going on with those industries in that area.

Salmon are a keystone species for the whole upper Rocky Mountain complex.

[yonder]

12. +1.

[Karadeniz]

4. Earth first!

[marble falls]

5. Doesn't sound Republican or Democratic: it sounds smart.

[2naSalit]

7. That's going to be its downfall.

It's just how they roll down there.

[2naSalit]

9. Oh, and...

ROCKY BARKER!!! It's been a long time since I've seen that byline.