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Hinkle
opposes dam breaching, says urban environmentalists shouldn't dictate
future of E. Washington energy, jobs and families
'These dams
provide agricultural irrigation, recreational opportunities and
affordable hydro power that cannot be replaced,' says Hinkle
Despite record and near-record numbers for several Snake River salmon
runs, dam breaching proponents continue to insist that removing the
unsightly fish obstacles remains the only real solution for healthy
salmon.
The Obama administration included the option of dam breaching along the
Snake River in its recently submitted plan to manage and protect the
salmon.
Rep.
Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum, adamantly opposes such an option
and believes the true colors for some in the environmental community are
finally showing.
"What we're seeing now with the record number of fish moving upstream is
the continued culmination of salmon recovery efforts along several
fronts," Hinkle said. "From conservation efforts
to better managing of stream flow; from habitat protection - both from
mandates and volunteer efforts - to increased hatchery supplementation,
we're seeing results and we're moving in the right direction.
"I've always believed that the first environmentalists, the first
conservationists, were - and are - the farmers and ranchers that depend
upon our natural resources for sustenance. And yet we still have
environmental elitists living in urban areas trying to dictate the
future of our economy, our energy needs, our jobs and our families,"
Hinkle said. "It's time for this to stop.
"These dams provide agricultural irrigation, recreational opportunities
and affordable hydro power that cannot be replaced," continued
Hinkle. "Just recently, at a
Legislative Council on
River Governance meeting in Spokane, legislators from Washington,
Oregon, Idaho, and Montana learned that hydro power is one of the best
forms of power in terms of reliability and consistency to compliment
wind power. Because wind power literally comes and goes with the
wind, you need a consistent and flexible power base to backstop the
highs and lows found in wind power generation. Our hydro power is
actually a catalyst for wind power development in our state and in the
Northwest, making the expansion of wind power a possibility."
Hinkle said the notion of breaching Snake River dams in
this state looks even more ominous than usual under current economic
conditions.
"Our families are desperate for jobs and our state, local and federal
governments should be doing everything possible to help attract and
retain employment opportunities," Hinkle said.
"Instead, it seems employers and jobs-friendly policies are being
opposed every step of the way.
"Removing Snake River dams is an unreal expectation that puts fish
before families, extreme environmentalism before gainful employment, and
embraces the will of a vocal minority rather than respecting the wishes
of the productive majority," said Hinkle.
# # #
For more information, contact:
Brendon Wold, Senior
Information Officer:
(509) 921-2356
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