NE Washington News

Richland, Wash. – On Monday, Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) traveled to the Tri-Cities to tour Ice Harbor Dam with Representatives Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Mike Collins (GA-10), and Cliff Bentz (OR-02). 

Ice Harbor is one of the four Lower Snake River dams that helped transform Eastern and Central Washington from a dry, barren sagebrush to one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world. Together, these dams generate over 1,000 megawatts on average, which is enough to power over 800,000 homes. 

During their tour, the lawmakers saw the many investments in innovative technology that has made this dam nearly transparent to fish, including two fish ladders, a removable spillway, and a bypass facility that help salmon to migrate the river. Click here to watch Cathy’s remarks at the press conference after the tour. 

Excerpts and highlights are below.

“This dam is one of the four Lower Snake River dams that is part of the beating heart of our region – the Columbia Snake River System. It transformed this region that was dry, barren sagebrush into one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world. 

“It makes it possible for farmers here in Eastern Washington to send their products – wheat, apples, potatoes – all across America and to countries around the world. 

“It has strengthened our energy grid, lowered energy costs for our families and businesses – we have some of the lowest energy costs in the country – all while reducing carbon emissions.

“Over the years, we’ve invested in fish ladders, fish slides, and improved technology of our turbines. Ice Harbor has not just one but two fish ladders, a spillway, and a bypass facility to help salmon migrate the river – and these efforts are working.

“It’s time that we take the target off the dams and shift the conversation towards getting results. 

“While we’re at it, we need to get Governor Inslee to stop dumping toxic waste into the Puget Sound – and let’s get some fish passage at Hells Canyon Dam.

“Together, I know that we can get to where we need to be. But first we need to accept that the dams aren’t the problem, and breaching the dams is not the solution.”

Cathy and her colleagues then traveled to Richland High School where the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries hosted a hearing entitled, “The Northwest at Risk: The Environmentalist’s Effort to Destroy Navigation, Transportation, and Access to Reliable Power.”

This hearing focused on the benefits the Lower Snake River dams provide to Eastern Washington and the entire Pacific Northwest, including irrigation, navigation, flood control, and access to reliable and affordable hydropower. The following witnesses provided testimony and answered questions:

• Jennifer Quan, West Coast Regional Administrator for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• John Hairston, Administrator and CEO for Bonneville Power Administration
• Beth Coffey, Director of Programs for theNorthwestern Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Scott Corbitt, General Manager for the Port of Lewiston
• Rick Dunn, General Manager for Benton Public Utility District
• Michelle Hennings, Executive Director for Washington Association of Wheat Growers
• Alex McGregor, Chairman of the Board of Directors for The McGregor Company
• Todd Myers, Environmental Director for the Washington Policy Center
• David Welch, President and Founder of Kintama Research Services

Click here to watch Cathy’s opening remarks. You can also watch the full hearing here.

Original source can be found here.