U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, and his staff are taking action on the science from biologists, who, for over decades, have explained the need to restore the lower Snake River by removing its four dams. By removing these four dams, we will restore 140 miles of significant river habitat and reconnect salmon to 5,500-plus miles of pristine, protected rivers and streams in the wildlands of Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Restoring the lower Snake River will ensure the return of more than one million adult Snake River chinook each year to Northwest coastal waters to help feed starving orcas and help struggling fishing communities.
Restoring this historic river will result in the largest salmon recovery project in the continental U.S. I applaud Rep. Simpson for taking critical steps that benefit salmon and steelhead restoration far and wide: from the communities who depend on them for food and livelihoods, to the 130 different species that rely on them and their nutrients to thrive.
I ask for U.S. Sens. Patty Murray, Maria Cantwell, Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley to refine the framework and advance it as legislation that improve our water quality and infrastructure; restores the lower Snake River and its salmon and endangered orca; invests in our regional economy and communities; fulfills our federal treaty and trust responsibilities to Northwest Native American tribes and honors their livelihoods and cultural values; and ensures a reliable, affordable and clean power system for the Northwest!
Vanessa Jamison
Marysville
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