Washington D.C. - Congressman Russ Fulcher joined Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05), Reps. Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), Cliff Bentz (OR-02), Matt Rosendale (MT-02), and Ryan Zinke (MT-01) in questioning Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Secretary Roger Millar on the department’s plan to mitigate the infrastructural and economic fallout of breaching the Lower Snake River Dams (LSRD).
“Despite some believing the only solution for salmon survivability in the region is to breach the dams, doing so would be a fatal blow to the Pacific Northwest economy, public power, recreationists, and river-dependent ports and communities. Moreover, it would negatively impact environmental quality along the LSRD, which provides immeasurable benefits to the region and nation,” the lawmakers wrote.
One analysis estimates it would take 39,204 rail cars and 150,784 semi-trucks per year to move cargo currently barged through the Columbia and Snake Rivers. To meet this new shipping demand, breaching the LSRD would require the total number of truck drivers in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho to triple.
“Dam breaching will add 23.8 million miles in additional trucking activity annually, leading to increased fuel costs, highway maintenance costs, terminal facility maintenance cost, driver time, and vehicle maintenance costs by $69 million per year,” the lawmakers continued.
“The wealth generated from these dams means Idahoans can keep families intact, communities whole, and economic opportunities in place,” Congressman Fulcher said. “Generations of Americans have relied upon these energy and transport systems to make a future for their families and their communities.”
The letter concludes by asking WSDOT to explain, in specific detail, its stated objectives as a transportation agency, how it plans to mitigate the impact of increased highway and rail traffic, and what alternatives it will propose to help grow the Pacific Northwest’s economy.
The full text of the letter is available HERE