Adopted 6/16/2021

Resolution For “The Columbia Basin Initiative”

Whereas Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson has proposed a Fish Recovery Plan for the Columbia River Basin, including the Snake River watershed; and

Whereas, the Snake River Dams, built in the 1960s without benefit of Environmental Impact Statements, has resulted in the Northwest spending over $17 billion on fish recovery efforts now has more salmon and steelhead runs listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) today than we did in 1980; and

Whereas all of Idaho’s wild steelhead and salmon are listed as threatened or endangered and that a 1% annual return rate of steelhead and salmon to the Snake River and tributaries is considered unsustainable; and

Whereas the 4 Snake River Dams provides no flood control and breaching is considered the ultimate and best solution to fish recovery in the Columbia Basin; and

Whereas consideration of agriculture is considered by developing WATERSHED PARTNERSHIPS, allowing $3 Billion for Revitalizing Salmon Habitat, Rivers and Streams; and

Whereas the BPA or another entity will receive up to $10 billion in a direct grant as firm clean power replacement (through an RFP process) for 4 Lower Snake River Dams lost generation; and 

Whereas $2.2 billion would be allocated towards replacing barge traffic with enhanced transportation options; and

Whereas $ 425 million would be allocated to Communities for recreational development; and

Whereas $ 425 million would be available for farmers to improve and make more efficient irrigation systems; and

Whereas if the 4 Lower Snake River Dams are removed, AGRICULTURE/DAIRIES/CAFOs must be given certain funding for enhanced nutrient management ($1.6B); and

Whereas, “for decades, Northwest Tribes including the Nez Perce, Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes have led the effort to restore salmon populations and protect their treaty rights. The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, comprised of 57 Tribes across the region, unanimously adopted a resolution supporting Rep. Simpson’s plan”; and

Whereas Columbia Basin Tribes and States would Become Co-Equal Primary Northwest Fish Managers; and

Whereas the Northwest Power and Conservation Council is currently drafting its eighth 5 year plan regarding regional power development coordinated with a Fish and Wildlife Department and its Fish & Wildlife recovery efforts; and

Whereas existing clean, low-cost, and renewable hydro-power provided by these dams would be replaced by firm clean power (i.e.- renewable to battery storage, pump storage, hydrogen storage, small modular reactors, increased transmission capacity, demand response, energy efficiency or any other means as determined by BPA and the NW Power and Conservation Council); therefore

We, the Washington State LD18 Democrats encourage our elected officials to consider support and implementation for the “The Columbia Basin Initiative”.