Idahoans Split On Breaching, Poll Shows

Results of a survey released Thursday indicate Idahoans are split on the issue of mothballing Snake River dams.

As part of an annual survey on a variety of issues, Boise State University researchers asked 659 adults the following question:

“How do you feel about breaching of the four lower Snake River dams to protect salmon?” Those dams are in Washington, but their removal would greatly impact Lewiston.

The survey shows that 42.8 percent of Idahoans either “strongly” or “mildly” oppose breaching, said BSU political science professor John Freemuth.

Another 39.7 percent either strongly or mildly support the idea, and 17.5 percent said they are neutral.

A majority of the respondents reported feeling strongly about the issue, one way or the other.

“You’ve got a classic bipolar separation here, an intensity of feeling on every end of the spectrum,” said Freemuth. “I would caution anybody from saying they know what the majority of the public thinks on this matter.”

Previous surveys have showed mixed results.

A 1998 political survey said 37 percent of Idaho voters supported breaching compared to 50 percent opposed. A 1997 poll showed 49 percent support and 47 percent opposition. Both were scientific telephone surveys.

In the latest survey, Freemuth said the greatest support for breaching comes from Coeur d’Alene north to Canada. The strongest opposition comes from the region defined as north-central Idaho, which includes Lewiston.

There is no similar split among the state’s congressional delegation, legislators or governor, who are nearly unanimously opposed to breaching.