We can save our salmon without hurting people

Reps. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville and Don Cox, R-Colfax

There

is no doubt that protecting salmon in the Pacific Northwest is a critical need we face and one that will have a tremendous effect on the future of our region. Strong action is needed to restore dwindling salmon runs and native stocks in our rivers, streams and lakes. But the key is making sure that we take the most responsible, effective steps that will truly solve the problem. And heavy-handed interference by the federal government -- particularly the disastrous idea of breaching dams along the lower Snake River -- is the wrong way to go. It is absolutely imperative that the people of Washington, especially those in the river-dependent cities and farm communities of Eastern Washington, speak out with a strong voice so that the best interests of people will be protected, too.

That's

why legislators, local elected officials and community leaders, along with what we hope will be a huge crowd of citizens from throughout this area will be part of a "Save the Dams" rally in the Tri-Cities on Feb. 18. At the urging of area legislators, the co-speakers of the state House of Representatives have agreed to suspend committee meetings that afternoon to allow us to take part in the rally. This unusual action helps demonstrate that the issue of keeping our dams intact is a matter of statewide importance that affects the lives of people and families everywhere in Washington.

The

simple fact is, proposals to breach the dams in hopes of increasing the number of salmon rely on incomplete, inconclusive information and unproven theories. While there is no proof that breaching dams will help salmon, we know for sure that such an ill-considered decision would have a devastating effect upon the people, communities and economy of Washington.

is important to remember that the dams were built to serve many essential purposes, including serving as a critical part of the transportation system that supports our economy. Barges use locks at the dams to move up and down the river. These barges are responsible for 4 million tons of commerce a year, including carrying 3 million tons of wheat. If the dams were lost it would take 700,000 more semi-trucks or 120,000 more railroad cars to move the freight now carried by barge. Without this ability to move agricultural and other products along the river, the state's economy would be dramatically weakened.

addition, the dams provide needed flood control that protects agricultural lands, port facilities and the residents of cities and communities along the river. They also provide a reliable and affordable supply of electricity and vital sources of water for irrigation.

And

yet, there is a very real danger that federal bureaucrats will ignore the concerns of the people and families who live here in a rush to tear down the dams -- even though there is no assurance that this approach will even help solve the salmon problem.

must speak out loud and clear to protect the security and well-being of our communities. We intend to be a part of that critical effort

That's

why the Legislature in 1998 adopted the first coordinated, comprehensive salmon enhancement plan. This plan put an emphasis on cooperation between state and local governments, with as much responsibility as possible left in the hands of elected officials and community leaders in the affected areas around the state.

We're

already seeing results that tell us this approach should be continued and supported. Last year, the Legislature committed more than $105 million to restore and protect critical salmon habitat. Salmon recovery efforts include 22 projects in 16 counties. And just those projects already completed in 1998 opened up salmon spawning and rearing habitat along 180 miles of streams and rivers around the state.

These

are efforts we know will help solve the problem -- unlike their responsible notion of breaching dams. Meanwhile, there are elements of the problem that must be addressed by the federal government. It is clear that overharvesting of salmon in the ocean and at the mouths of Northwest rivers is at the heart of dwindling salmon runs.

Rather

than breaching our dams, the federal focus ought to be on solving the salmon fishing conflicts between the United States and Canada, as well as other countries. Failure to reach agreements to reduce the number of salmon that are caught before they ever make it to Washington waters will guarantee that nothing else we do will work.

These

are all things the federal government must hear from the people of Washington. We must demand that federal officials not only listen to us, but that they pay attention, that they act responsibly.

This

is the purpose of the Save Our Dams rally. It may be one of our best opportunities to fight for the future of our region by demanding that we protect salmon without hurting people.