The Courier
NEWS
News from the Heart of Idaho Camas • Lincoln • Gooding
May 15, 2024
Vol 48 Num 20
The Politics of Dam Breaching Museums Open for Summer Season
For the last several years, Representative Mike Simpson has been advocating for the removal of four hydroelectric dams along the Lower Snake River (Lewiston to Kennewick). In December, the Biden administration announced its support for breaching these dams in an agreement with four tribal nations, two states (Washington and Oregon) and several conservation groups. The dams were built in the 1970s for hydropower and agriculture use, but (according to researchers) they have since become a primary cause of Snake River salmon declines. As part of the plan called the Columbia River Basin Initiative, the Biden administration plans to funnel more than half a billion dollars in federal funding to the region for the alternative power sources, irrigation, transportation and more that would be needed if the dams come down - breaching requires an act of Congress. The Nez Perce Tribe took part in the negotiations alongside the Warm Springs, Umatilla and Yakama nations as some of the tribes mostly deeply affected by the dams. The tribes have been strong supporters dam removal since 1999, citing salmon runs and the ongoing infringement on tribal treaty rights. On the other side of this issue, our nation's increasing power demand for urban growth and electric vehicles makes it hard to justify the removal of clean, renewable power sources. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and Bonneville Power Administration, the lower Snake River projects provide more than 2,000 MW of sustained peaking capabilities during the winter, and a quarter of the federal power system’s current reserves holding capability. Replacing these dams with wind turbines would require more than 200,000 acres. These dams also provide water transportation to multiple port facilities including Lewiston, Idaho. eliminating the dams would increased production costs for farmers and increase demands on existing road and rail infrastructure. Despite the expected benefits to salmon runs, there is no guarantee of success. Even Congressman Simpson said, “I want to be clear that I’m not certain removing these dams will restore Idaho salmon and prevent their extinction...” While Washington and Oregon support the dam breaching, Idaho's other representatives strongly oppose this idea, and the Idaho legislature adopted SJM 103, to make it clear that the state supports the clean renewable hydro baseload power, navigation, and irrigation provided by the Snake River dams. “The State of Idaho opposes any actions to degrade the functionality, in whole or in part, to remove or breach any dams on the Columbia-Snake River System or its tributaries.” Simpson's opponent in this year's Republican Primary, Scott Cleveland says, "Idaho has been blessed with low-cost hydroelectric power from a series of storage and diversion dams up and down the Snake River. I will defend Idaho water to the last drop. I will never agree to breach the four lower Snake River dams."
Tonight at 7:00, the Gooding Museum will host their Speakers Night with Jan Lemcke talking about the history of Hagerman. Hagerman Museum Curator, Jan Lemcke, will talk about the newly opened space at the old U.S. Bank building where they now have space to display items and art work that have been in storage for many years. The Gooding Museum and Schoolhouse are open for the season on Fridays & Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come see the "Gooding County Art Show - Past, Present and Future" which will continue through September. Admission is free, but your donations are deeply appreciated. The Gooding Museum is located behind the Valley Country Store - 273 Euskadi Lane.
Shoshone Museum Open this Weekend
The Lincoln County Historical Society will open their museum this Friday, May 17th. Located just north of the Lincoln County Courthouse (112 West B Street in Shoshone), the musuem will be open Friday evening 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday afternoon from 1 to 4 p.m. They are available for other times by calling Ken at 208-316-7685 or Connie at 208-850-1342.
Camas Musuem Plans
For Memorial Day Weekend
There are a few details to workout, but the old Depot Building will spring to life on Memorial Day weekend with Saturday hours from noon to 3:00 p.m. (or maybe a little later???). The Camas County Museum is located on Camas Avenue East. Turn at the Post Office and look for the Big Yellow Building.