Congressman Mike Simpson's Energy & Salmon Concept
Representative Mike Simpson unveiled a $33+ billion infrastructure and community investment proposal that would breach the four dams on the lower Snake River and reorder most of the fish, energy, and commodity transportation systems of the Pacific Northwest.
The proposal's timeline sees the Lower Granite Dam being breached in the summer of 2030, with the breaching of Little Goose, Lower Monumental and Ice Harbor dams to follow.
Support for Lower Snake River Dams
- McMorris Rogers Leads Effort to Protect Lower Snake River Dams
- Reps. Fulcher, Newhouse, McMorris Rodgers, and Herrera Beutler Reaffirm Support for Pacific Northwest Resources
- Governor Little Press Release: Gov. Little Issues Expanded Statement on Dam Removal Proposal
- PNWA Reacts to Simpson Proposal to Breach Dams, Increase Regional Carbon Emissions
- Northwest RiverPartners Considers US Rep. Simpson Proposal to Overhaul the Region's Energy Infrastructure; Urges Caution and a More Circumspect Approach
- Coalition Response to Congressman Simpson's Dam Breaching Proposal
- The McGregor Company's Letter Opposing Congressman Simpson's Proposal
- Inslee, Murray Release Statement on Simpson Proposal and Future of Columbia River Basin
- Senate Joint Memorial 103
Fact Sheets
- Lower Snake River Dams provided crucial energy and reserves in Winter 2021 (BPA)
- Preparing for a resilient Columbia River Hydropower System (BPA)
- 2020 Columbia Snake River System Facts (PNWA)
- ESA Recovery Plan for Snake River Fall Chinook Salmon (NOAA)
- ESA Recovery Plan for Snake River Spring/Summer Chinook Salmon & Snake River Basin Steelhead (NOAA)
The Port of Lewiston's Response to Congressman Simpson's Proposal
The Port of Lewiston has long supported the multi-use benefits of the Columbia Snake River System. Congressman Simpson’s proposal to end salmon litigation by breaching the four Lower Snake River Dams does little to restore abundant fish runs. His proposal throws billions of tax-payer dollars at unproven ideas and provides no explanation on how his ideas would be implemented.
We hope Congressman Simpson will join with leaders throughout Idaho and support sound salmon recovery measures such as those recently outlined in Governor Little’s Salmon Work Group. The Port is in discussion with the Congressman on his proposal.
NEWS:
Reactions to Simpson's Proposal to Breach Four Snake River Dams (The Lewiston Tribune, Feb. 7, 2021)
Watershed Moment? (The Lewiston Tribune, Feb. 9, 2021)
Reactions to Simpson's Breaching Plan Run Gamut (The Lewiston Tribune, Feb. 9, 2021)
County Leaders Speak Out Against Simpson's Proposal (The Lewiston Tribune, Feb. 23, 2021)
Idaho County Leaders Torch Simpson's Plan (The Lewiston Tribune, March 10, 2021)
Some Green Groups Raise Objections to Simpson Dam Plan (The Lewiston Tribune, March 17, 2021)
Analysis: Damned If You Do. Dammed If You Don't. (The Lewiston Tribune, March 21, 2021)
SEL Founder Opposes Breaching Plan (The Lewiston Tribune, May 6, 2021)
Ag Officials Affirm Opposition to Dam Breaching (The Lewiston Tribune, June 17, 2021)