Breaching dams not the answer

I have nothing against orca whales. They are beautiful, and they must be saved from extinction. To my delight, I have had orcas swim next to the boat I was in.

But breaching the dams on the lower Snake River to save them? The idea that orcas’ food supply (salmon) suffers because of the dams keeping the salmon from migrating up and down the rivers doesn’t tell the whole story.

From the time they enter the Columbia River from the ocean, they face obstacles. Sea lions and Stellar seals feast on them. Fishermen and their boats, even people picnicking, can cause pollution, aka, obstacles.

To help the fish, every dam on the Columbia and Snake rivers has a fish ladder (except Grand Coulee). But the number of salmon that reach a spawning ground is not what it could be if some of the obstacles were eliminated.

Yes, some of the young salmon are caught in the spillway turbulence or in the generators and don’t make it past the dams. The rest make it through the obstacles to the ocean, returning as mature fish. The spawning cycle is repeated. Salmon do continue their life cycle in the Columbia and Snake rivers.

Removing the dams isn’t the answer. Taking the dams down would be a major blow to the economy of Washington and Oregon. California would suffer because of the power the dams generate and send to that state.

Think about the millions of dollars it cost to build the dams. Then consider the trillions of dollars it would cost to remove them. Who pays for that? You and me, when we pay our taxes.

Nancy Butler

Spokane