Republican members of Congress from the Pacific Northwest are upset with a federal judge’s order to spill water from four Snake River dams to help speed migrating salmon to the Pacific Ocean.
They’re denouncing the spill and related efforts to permanently breach the four dams to increase wild salmon runs. The spill began on April 3rd.
Supporters of the four dams note that they provide hydropower, flood control, navigation, irrigation, and recreation benefits. But the structures are also blamed for killing wild salmon. GOP members says the increased spill will cost some $40 million in lost power sales. They also say the spill could hurt transportation and barging on the rivers, flood control, and irrigation systems.
But Democrats argue studies of the dams, including whether they should be removed, must go forward. (AP)
