Asotin County officials are joining other eastern Washington county commissions in firm opposition to breaching the four Lower Snake River Dams.
The Lewiston Tribune reports that at Monday’s commission meeting, officials approved a letter that will be signed by multiple counties that says breaching is not the solution to restoring anadromous fish runs.
Commissioner Brian Shinn said the recent listening sessions were biased, and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s plan to conduct another study on the issue is redundant.
Commissioners Chuck Whitman and Chris Seubert agreed, and would like the letter sent directly to President Joe Biden. The President recently pledged to work with Idaho U.S. Congressman Mike Simpson and Washington U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell to restore Snake and Columbia river salmon runs.
The action by eastern Washington counties was sparked by recent U.S. government listening sessions that were dominated by speakers in favor of breaching the four lower Snake River dams.
The letter is addressed to Senators Murray and Cantwell, as well as Representatives Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Dan Newhouse. Asotin County suggested adding President Biden to the list.
