Forums To Address Snake River Dam Breaching

Fri., Jan. 8, 1999

By Dan Hansen danh@spokesman.com

Shopkeepers, farmers, politicians and other residents of 17 Northwest communities whose fortunes are tied to the Snake River will get a chance to tell the government how breaching four dams would affect their economies.

Would Washtucna wither if barging ends? Could Pomeroy prosper if white-water rafting returns to the river? The U.S. Corps of Engineers wants to know and has hired the University of Idaho to find out.

Although specific dates aren’t yet set, the university plans to conduct the forums later this month and in February and March. The information gathered will be included in a $20 million Corps of Engineers study that could recommend mothballing the dams as the best way to save salmon runs on the Snake.

Don’t come to the meetings expecting an open microphone and a chance to rant, said Dave Dankel, the corps’ public involvement coordinator. And don’t come from Spokane, Seattle, Boise or other far-flung areas expecting to tell the locals what to think.

Community members will be divided into small groups for four hours of discussion, Dankel said. Outsiders and those who can’t set aside four hours are invited to watch, but not participate, he said.

“The community forums are not intended to address questions or provide answers about the proposed alternatives,” Dankel said. Instead, the meetings are intended to gather comments from the public, he said.

The corps told the UI to have the meetings in towns of various sizes. Some have economies based primarily on agriculture, timber or recreation. Others rely primarily on manufacturing jobs.

Some are right along the river. Others are miles away.

Dankel said the meeting dates and locations will be announced in newspapers and on the Corps of Engineer’s Web site at www.nww.

usace.army.mil.

This sidebar appeared with the story: Meeting sites States and cities hosting meetings include: Washington: Burbank, Clarkston, Colfax, Kennewick, Pasco, Pomeroy, Prescott and Kahlotus/Washtucna. Idaho: Genesse, Lewiston, Orofino, Riggins and Weippe. Oregon: Adams, Enterprise, Stanfield and Umatilla. Web address: Corps of Engineer’s Web site at www.nww.usace.army.mil.

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