Fish swimming upstream

Paul Fish, president of Mountain Gear, appears to feel that his business interests trump those of regional anchor industries who use the river systems for their business needs (“Salmon plan needs change” – Aug. 13). He also sees his business above the interests of public safety (flood control), and ignores data that show fish survival rates and fish counts have been increasing.

State, tribal and federal agencies work with dam operators in publicly open forums to create fish plans based on unbiased science. The dam removal proponents do not constructively participate in this process.

We must look beyond the issue of dam removal focusing on ocean survival rates, and the commercial and sport fishing practices that allow harvest of an endangered species. We must look at shoreline rehabilitation, encroachment to the spawning areas and stop demanding the federal government be the only agency that pays for salmon recovery.

Dam removal will have impacts across the economy. Power can only be replaced with higher-cost resources. Uncontrolled flooding will occur, and river transportation will be replaced with costly and less energy efficient methods.

Mr. Fish’s niche business may benefit, but the real anchor industries of the region will not.

Kevin Conway

Valley