Despite the fact that returns of salmon and steelhead in the Columbia and Snake Rivers are at devastatingly low levels, the U.S. House will likely vote next Wednesday on a bill that would halt efforts to recover Idaho’s wild ocean running fisheries. T
In June 2017 U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) introduced a bill (co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador) that would halt critical efforts to save endangered salmon and steelhead in the Columbia and Snake Rivers. If this bill becomes law, it would prevent federal dam managers from increasing water "spill" to aid salmon migration, or from studying removal of four aging, outdated, and expensive dams on the Lower Snake River, as ordered by the U.S. District Court in Portland, OR.
This legislation would greatly harm commercial, Tribal, and sport-fishing economies in Idaho and across the Pacific Northwest by enshrining a status quo that is failing wild salmon and steelhead. H.R. 3144 is bad for salmon, ecosystems, and the communities that depend upon healthy fisheries. This bill is misinformed, counterproductive, and would be extremely damaging to salmon recovery efforts if passed.
Will you please send a quick message to your Representative telling them that you support Idaho’s wild salmon and steelhead? Ask them to vote NO on HR 3144! Click on the picture of your Representative to send them a message today!
Here are some sample talking points to consider for your comment to our leaders. If you choose to use any of these concepts, please put them into your own words as that will make our collective efforts more successful.
Thank your Congressman for not co-sponsoring this ill-conceived legislation and ask them to VOTE NO on HR 3144. (Note: Rep Labrador was the only member of Idaho’s congressional delegation who co-sponsored this bill. But he still needs to hear from Idahoans).
The status quo is failing Idaho’s wild salmon and steelhead. Today wild run B steelhead are on the brink of extinction, and wild Snake River sockeye are not doing much better. HR 3144 would enshrine the status quo at a time when we need to consider new alternatives to saving Idaho’s endangered salmon and steelhead.
We don’t have to choose between saving Idaho’s wild ocean running fisheries or having affordable, clean, reliable power. A recent study drawing on Bonneville Power Administration’s own data showed that we can cost effectively replace the energy and grid services provided by the 4 Lower Snake River dams with new efficiencies, wind, and solar.
So we can track our efforts to generate grassroots engagement with our congressional efforts, please drop me a note at zack.waterman@sierraclub.org to let us know you weighed in.
Thank you!