American Rivers Action Fund Opposes Proposal That Would Keep Lower Snake River Dams
Northwest needs bipartisan, collaborative solutions to address region’s economic and conservation needs
Contact: Susan Woodward, swoodward@americanrivers.org
January 27, 2025
Olympia, Wash.—A federal bill that aims to prevent removal of four dams on the lower Snake River is shortsighted and would harm the people of the Pacific Northwest if passed, American Rivers Action Fund said today.
Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash) introduced the “Northwest Energy Security Act” last week to prevent removal of the four dams on the lower Snake River.
The four dams produce just 4% of the total power generated in the Northwest.
“That energy can be cost effectively supplied by alternative energy and updated transmission, and the dams can be removed to ensure healthy and abundant salmon runs that benefit local economies, cultures, and critically endangered Southern Resident orcas,” said Sarah Dyrdahl, senior advisor for American Rivers Action Fund.
Recent studies show how other services the dams provide can continue and even improve. They include a draft water replacement study by the Washington Department of Ecology and the Bureau of Reclamation. It found sufficient water would exist in a free-flowing lower Snake River to meet all current agricultural, municipal, and industrial requirements year-round, even under low-water scenarios.
“The Risch-Newhouse bill detracts from the efforts of states, Tribal Nations, anglers, industry, and nonprofit entities working together to solve the pressing and intertwined economic and conservation challenges affecting the Columbia Basin,” said Dyrdahl. “Instead of preserving costly, aging infrastructure, we continue to work towards viable, modern solutions that will benefit millions of people.”
