In October 2021 Governor Jay Inslee and Senator Patty Murray announced a joint federal-state process to determine whether there are reasonable means for replacing the services and benefits provided by the four lower Snake River dams (LSRD), sufficient to support dam breaching as part of a salmon recovery strategy for the Snake River and the Pacific Northwest.

The Governor's Office hired a Consultant Team to support the process, review existing studies, and engage with tribal sovereigns, stakeholders, advisors, and experts from across the region. American Whitewater was among the entities interviewed as part of this process that resulted in a draft report that is currently open for public comment.

American Whitewater supports breaching the four lower Snake River Dams and believes the environmental and social justice costs of these dams outweigh the services and benefits they provide. In addition to benefits for salmon and steelhead, breaching these dams would open up a new segment of free-flowing river in a region where current demand for river-based recreation exceeds capacity. We also believe the removal of these dams is a more effective solution to address struggling salmon runs than limits that have been placed on recreational boaters.

The findings from this report lay the foundation for developing a comprehensive solution to restore the lower Snake River and its salmon, help critically endangered orcas, uphold our nation’s promises to Tribal Nations, and invest in communities and infrastructure.

A public comment period is open now through July 11 – and Senator Murray and Governor Inslee need to hear from you! This comment period provides a critical opportunity to express appreciation for their leadership and strong support for bold, urgent action to protect salmon from extinction. We expect a final report in mid-July and a roadmap for salmon recovery – including a decision on whether to remove the dams – by the end of July.

Take Action:

https://action.outdooralliance.org/a/snake_river_dam_removal

View the Story Map: Imagining a New Future for the Lower Snake River <https://arcg.is/0S5XaP0>