Not many dams in the country (if not the entire world) are subject to the level of rancor and controversy that the Lower Snake River dams face. What’s interesting about the controversy surrounding these dams is that they were prominent even before the dams were built so long ago. More than 5 decades later, the strength of opposition that the existence of these dams faces has increased instead of waning. As such, this forces a critical analysis of the situation on ground so that all parties involved can come to a resolution that actually profits everyone at large in the short as well as long term.
People who are given to gross oversimplification will argue that this is simply a matter of salmon versus electricity. Of course, from one point of view, it can be seen as just that and nothing more. However, were you to look at the forest instead of just the trees, you would quickly come to realize that the issue spans far, far beyond just that.
So, let’s get the hard facts out of the way.
Are the Lower Snake River dams negatively affecting the life and survival of the wildlife in the water of that environment? As the federal report that was completed and released by #NOAA Fisheries conclusively points out, yes, these structures do in fact do a lot to hamper what would’ve been the normal life cycle of these animals.
However, is that enough reason to necessitate the breaching of these dam structures? Most assuredly not. And there are sound and truly valid reasons for this. Let’s dig into that quickly.
Of course, arguably the biggest reason why these dams should stay just as they are is the fact that it produces so much clean electricity. Indeed, this is why those in support of the dams being breached believe that it’s the life of the fish being sacrificed at the altar of getting energy.
However, there’s a little more to it than that. It is true that, at any given point in time, clean energy is an invaluable asset. However, considering the dire state of things worldwide and America’s scramble at the moment to go green, demolishing an existing source of clean energy without a viable and immediate replacement just seems ludicrous, to put it mildly.
The suggestion that the dams have to go seems even wilder and more unreasonable in light of the fact that there aren’t any plans to replace the copious amounts of energy that they currently produce. What’s more, even if there were plans in the works, it would certainly take billions upon billions of dollars and a considerable amount of time to put that into effect and get it up to a point that it can sustainably deliver the desired results.
If that alone isn’t enough reason to simply leave the Lower Snake River dams be, here are more elements to carefully consider.
The very existence of these dams is what makes the Snake River navigable. It essentially provides a viable route that barges can conveniently ply all the way to Lewiston, Idaho. This is what facilitates the easy transportation of wheat and other essential farm products to the necessary ocean ports.
The immediate implication of breaching the dams in this setting is that truck and rail transportation would have to be made available to facilitate the optimal movement of the produce of farmers in the region. Apart from the cost implications of embarking on such a major commission, the impact of such a project on the environment is quite certain to be not insignificant.
When you add to all of this the fact that these dams are also exclusively responsible for providing much-needed irrigation water for the farmers, it becomes clearer to see just how prominent the positive impacts of these dams are.
Let’s not also forget that these dams also make it possible for people to enjoy different kinds of recreational exercises here as well.
Simply put, the existence of the Lower Snake River dams offers value on every level and that cuts across a broad spectrum. Now saving that these same dams should be breached for #endangered salmon is extreme, to say the least.
These dams serve an essential purpose and should be left as they are.
