Snake River dams’ energy is replaceable; salmon species isn’t

In response to Marc Sullivan’s recent commentary (“Don’t fall for TV ads’ climate case for Snake dams,” The Herald, June 5), regarding NW RiverPartners’ ongoing ad campaigns, as we speak, RiverPartner’s media blitz is delivering misinformation to dinner tables, commutes and communities in Everett and beyond.

Northwest RiverPartners has chosen to ignore the scientific consensus that four dams on the lower Snake River are driving northwest salmon towards extinction.

Energy infrastructure that drives local species nearer to extinction every year can never be called “green.” As Sullivan notes, the data show that we can develop a smart plan to replace the services provided by these dams. Removing these destructive dams is essential to save iconic northwest salmon, steelhead and the Southern Resident orcas that rely on them; and this transition doesn’t have to be costly to communities.

We must act now to prevent extinction before it is too late for northwest salmon.

Please contact U.S. Sen. Patty Murray’s office at 206-553-5545 and thank her for moving forward an initiative to address this issue. And, call Sen. Maria Cantwell at 206-3220-6400 and tell her that we must remove the lower Snake River dams to prevent extinction of vital northwest salmon.

Nancy Johnson

Edmonds

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Sunday, June 22

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

In this Sept. 2017, photo made with a drone, a young resident killer whale chases a chinook salmon in the Salish Sea near San Juan Island, Wash. The photo, made under a National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) permit, which gives researchers permission to approach the animals, was made in collaboration with NOAA Fisheries/Southwest Fisheries Science Center, SR3 Sealife Response, Rehabilitation, and Research and the Vancouver Aquarium's Coastal Ocean Research Institute. Endangered Puget Sound orcas that feed on chinook salmon face more competition from seals, sea lions and other killer whales than from commercial and recreational fishermen, a new study finds. (John Durban/NOAA Fisheries/Southwest Fisheries Science Center via AP)
Editorial: A loss for Northwest tribes, salmon and energy

The White House’s scuttling of the Columbia Basin pact returns uncertainty to salmon survival.

Minnesota State Patrol Special Response Team vehicles on a rural road during a manhunt for a man suspected of assassinating a Democratic state lawmaker and attempting to kill another, in Green Isle, Minn., on Sunday, June 15, 2025. A man suspected of assassinating a Minnesota lawmaker on Saturday and of shooting another was identified by the authorities as Vance Boelter, 57. (Tim Gruber/The New York Times)
Comment: ‘Lone wolf’ myth makes it harder to confront extremism

Connected by social media, violent extremists often are inspired and encouraged by others.

Shreya Karthik
Comment: Signing on to a bright future in STEM careers

A Jackson grad signs her intent to study neuroscience, impressed with the doctors who saved her dad.

Comment: ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ hides ugly consequences for families

Urge your members of Congress to preserve funding for Medicaid, SNAP and more that aids communities.

Comment: Why you don’t want MAHA as your nutritionist or doctor

Americans can make their own health choices; government helps best by informing those choices.

Forum: Building WSU Everett as it grows our local workforce

Our region will need credential workers. Support for WSU Everett is key to meeting the needs of students.

Forum: The arc of pride and mourning for a kid’s athletic dream

Disappointment when a child’s aspirations end allows finding acceptance and hope in new objectives.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Saturday, June 21

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

toon
Editorial cartoons for Friday, June 20

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Schwab: At least those in the parade were having a good time

Denied a menacing ‘tone’ from parading soldiers, Trump’s countenance betrayed an unhappy birthday.

Saunders: What Trump is seeking is an Iran with no nukes

There are risks if the U.S. joins in Israel’s war with Iran, but the risks are greater if it doesn’t.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.