A proposal to breach the four lower Snake River dams faces opposition from another group.
The Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport Authority board approved a resolution Tuesday voicing its objections to the concept supported by salmon advocates, including the Native American tribes of the Columbia River Basin, environmental organizations and fishing groups. The transportation hub directly benefits from the dams because of multiday cruises between the Portland, Oregon area, and the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley.
This year, about 30,000 cruise boat passengers are anticipated to take Lewiston flights getting to or from their excursions on the Snake and Columbia rivers. Those 30,000 passengers are expected to represent about 30% of all commercial passenger volume at the airport. The airport has forecast total passenger volume this year to be 100,000 on direct Salt Lake City and Denver flights.
The LC Valley is the easternmost port for American Cruise Lines’ Columbia and Snake rivers cruises, according to the resolution. (Lewiston Tribune)
