WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) issued the following statement regarding the draft report on breaching the four hydroelectric dams on the lower Snake River, commissioned by Washington State Democrats Senator Patty Murray and Governor Jay Inslee:

“Not even two years ago, the federal government completed a comprehensive and scientific multi-year study of the lower Snake River dams. The study’s findings were resounding: the lower Snake River dams should not be breached. The benefits these dams provide our region far outweigh arguments for their removal,” said Risch. “The results of an unscientific and politically-motivated review of cherry-picked information do not concern me. I welcome actual collaboration to improve salmon populations, but remain flatly opposed to dam breaching.”

Background: The four hydroelectric dams on the lower Snake River provide multiple benefits to Idaho and the region, including flood risk management, economic stimulus, crop irrigation, and clean hydropower.

Following four years of comprehensive scientific study of the Columbia River System Operations, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation and Bonneville Power Administration released a record of decision in September 2020 affirming the four dams’ critical importance to the region.

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