Stay at home ― stay informed on the Snake River dams

The efforts to contain COVID-19 have disrupted basic aspects of daily life across southeastern Washington―and for good reason.

But if we’re not vigilant, this virus will wreak more social and economic damage than it must. It will distract us.

Recently, federal agencies released a draft Environmental Impact Statement on the 14 Columbia and Snake River dams. The last day to comment―April 13―is fast approaching.

As the Tri-City Herald Editorial Board recently wrote, “The coronavirus eventually will pass, but the future of our region depends on what happens to the Snake River dams.”

The same could be said of the Palouse. The Snake River dams irrigate our land, transport our crops and power our homes.

If the dams were breached, the inability to irrigate nearly 48,000 acres would result in a $500 million social welfare loss, according to the draft report.

In addition, transporting goods by truck and rail instead of by barge could increase costs by 10 to 33 percent. It would mean than 1,100 farms risk bankruptcy if the federal government does not increase farm subsidies, according to a study commissioned by the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association.

The report also states the threat of region-wide blackouts would double.

For all these consequences of dam breaching, scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration maintain that salmon would just marginally benefit.

Governor Jay Inslee’s stay-at-home order means many Washingtonians now have more time on our hands. Why not take a few minutes to call in or write a public comment?

It could, for a moment, take your mind off the pandemic.

The last two teleconferences are today, March 26, and Tuesday, March 31. All start at 4 p.m. and are scheduled to end at 8 p.m.

People can call in at any time during the conference. The toll-free number is 1-844-721-7241. The access code is 5998146#.

Submit your written comments at comments.crso.info or by mail to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CRSO EIS, P.O. Box 2870, Portland, OR 97208-2870.

Port of Whitman County,

Colfax