Chairman's statement on dam breaching
October 1, 1998
The Council is required by law to protect, mitigate, and enhance fish and
wildlife affected by dams in the Columbia River Basin while also assuring
the region an adequate, efficient, economical and reliable power supply.
In response to a scientific report made public Wednesday that supports
removing four dams on the lower Snake River to restore spring chinook salmon
runs, John Etchart, chairman of the Council released the following
statement:
"The Council has not yet taken a position on dam-breaching. It remains to
be seen whether breaching dams is the most appropriate course of action. The
issue is not just about the science of Snake River salmon. It's about
balancing the needs of all fish and wildlife, not just those of Snake River
salmon, against potential economic and social impacts from dam breaching.
"This report deals only with Snake River salmon, but the Council's
mission is much more complex and far-reaching ? all fish and wildlife in the
Columbia River Basin affected by dams. While today's report, if accurate,
may give us information on Snake River salmon, it does not address other
species in the basin.
"We intend to address potential changes to the dams during our fish and
wildlife program amendment process, which we anticipate beginning in 1999.
We are working with state and federal fish and wildlife agencies and Indian
tribes to develop a decision-making framework to assist in the difficult
decisions that lie ahead. The framework will allow us to fully weigh all
relevant factors, including the biology of multiple species, social and
economic impacts."
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