The Columbian’s Feb. 9 editorial (“Discuss dams transparently, without hyperbole,” In Our View) correctly states that the Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative won’t end disagreements over what to do with the four Lower Snake River dams. The agreement between the Biden administration, Northwest tribes, and state governments puts a five- to 10-year pause on litigation so that constructive solutions can be developed. This will allow time to work out a comprehensive solution that benefits salmon, respects tribal treaty rights, and identifies ways to replace the dams’ services.
Ultimately, it will be the legislative branch’s decision whether to restore a free-flowing lower Snake River. The extreme rhetoric coming from some members of Congress, including Reps. Dan Newhouse and Cathy McMorris Rodgers, is unhelpful. They should both realize that supporting the culture and economies of Northwest tribes, and bolstering commercial and recreational fishing, is of great benefit to their constituents.
