The dams are in direct violation of the Endangered Species Act for 13 species of salmon and for Southern Resident Orca.

According to the ESA destroying critical habitat of an endangered species is a crime.

According to the American Fisheries Society, and their scientists - the Lower Snake River dams directly destroy the habitat for the salmon and indirectly for the Southern Resident Orca.

A total of 9 Laws are directly violated, many of them on multiple counts.

1 - Tribal Rights

2 - The Wilderness Act

3 - Sawtooth National Recreation Area Act

4 - Central Idaho Wilderness Act

5 - Clean Water Act

6 - Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act

7 - Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act

8 - Endangered Species Act x 14 (13+1)

9 - PNW Electric Power Planning & Conservation Act

The energy provided by all 4 of the Lower Snake River dams barely makes up 4% of the energy used in the NW.

The consensus among non-BPA scientists and economists is that this energy is easily, and readily replaceable by existing systems. Therefore, no, we do not need to replace the energy prior to beginning breaching. However, breaching will create more incentives for renewables and more jobs in the renewable sector. That’s a win on jobs, win on energy, and win on investing in a sustainable future, not to mention the big win on the environment and wildlife.

The majority will not be impacted.

For most of the grain transported on the barges in the Snake River, a rail alternative is already there at the same grain elevator.

For some farmers who use a grain elevator without rail access, trucking is an option until the rail system is extended to their grain elevator.

Multiple experts and grain growers vet this approach.

Will that raise the cost of grain?

Not necessarily, the subsidies used on barges could be transferred to temporary trucking to keep the cost equal.

The point is to work with the grain growers who can also benefit from removing the dams.

Irrigation can still happen with a free-flowing river. Currently, irrigation is only provided by Ice Harbor dam.

The phased approach proposes to breach Ice Harbor last, providing ample time to lower irrigator pumps for farmers, and ensure they retain access to irrigation water.

Our approach is collaboration, unlike the profit-minded who tirelessly work to pit farmers against nature.

The scientific and non-profit communities who’ve tirelessly worked to clarify how dam breaching can benefit all, have spent the last 30+ years asking this question.

The lobby powers are always stronger, and have been holding our wild salmon, orca, ecosystem, and climate hostage for personal gain. We are committed to preventing the extinction of our salmon and orca. We demand action, and immediate implementation of solutions we know are possible.

We’re glad you brought that up.

We have a draft (but sound) plan, and we’re asking for your collaboration to update the plan with all relevant and applicable steps required, and finalize a concrete approach to restore the Lower Snake River and save wild salmon.

Please join our coalition to access the plan and collaborate with us.

We begin by breaching Lower Granite Dam within 12 months. And all the details are in this plan - derived from work that has already been done in the last 10, 20, 30 years.

Based on comments from many river restoration experts, and fish scientists, if dam breaching is deferred for more than 5 years, the extinction of Keystone species like Salmon, and Southern Resident Orcas will occur.

Without a clear timeline or plan - it is concerning that the agreement might be putting dam breaching off by decades.

Work together on an achievable plan with a clear and urgent timeline.

Pledge to safeguard their existence and prevent their disappearance under our watch.

Approach the topic with the mindset asking “How” and “How do we see their wild populations thrive.”