Press Release: Risch Chastises Biden Administration’s Dam Breaching Attempt

Idaho Dispatch ^ | December 17, 2023 | James E. Risch

[Twotone]

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch, following the release of the Biden administration’s Columbia River Basin announcement, doubled down in his opposition to dam breaching and reiterated that it is solely Congress that could remove the federal dams in the Columbia-Snake River System.

“Congress—and Congress alone—can authorize removal of the dams on the lower Snake River. Bureaucrats, activist litigation, nor this administration’s radical agenda will determine the fate of any of the Northwest’s federal dams,” said Risch. “This litigation effort was useless: It occurred behind closed doors, between two parties who wanted the same end result—to tear out our dams, and it completely excluded Idahoans who rely on the River System for its energy, transportation, agriculture, and recreation benefits. I will continue to fight any breaching efforts, and, at every turn, I will reject the Biden administration’s efforts to usurp Congressional authority.”

Background: The four hydroelectric dams on the lower Snake River provide multiple benefits to Idaho and the region, including:

Transportation of more than 15 million metric tons of wheat in 2020 with nearly 10% of all U.S. wheat moving out on the Snake River alone;

$686 million in jobs and businesses associated with Idaho’s Port of Lewiston, the furthest inland port on the West Coast;

A 95% emission-free power portfolio generated by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), allowing small public utilities across the Northwest to lead in clean energy production;

Clean, always-on energy that can uniquely keep the lights on during extreme weather events where relying on wind and solar would cause blackouts; and Irrigation.

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.

[Twotone]

If you would like more information about what’s happening in Oregon, please FReepmail me. Please send me your name by FReepmail if you want to be on this list.

[Noumenon]

Another sternly worded letter that will be ignored by the wrecking crew in Mordor-on-the-Potomac.

[rktman]

Oh Jim, you so crazy.

[Leaning Right]

> “Congress—and Congress alone—can authorize removal of the dams on the lower Snake River.“ <

Poor Senator Risch doesn’t understand that we live in the age of the imperial presidency. Biden will find some obscure law or regulation somewhere to give him cover. Then he will do just what he wants. (Or to be more exact, what his handlers want.)

[G Larry]

This “saving the salmon” meme is long past its expiration date.

[T-Bird45]

“Mordor-on-the-Potomac.”

Please consider that stolen…:-)

[bigbob]

Reference: “Meig’s Field”

[libertylover]

“Congress—and Congress alone—can authorize ...

Right. And Congress-and Congress alone-can authorize sending $400 billion to Iran, etc. /s

[cuz1961]

speaking as a half breed myself...

...why do these tribes get to make decisions for land , river, and power anything for non tribal people groups ?

wheres the

” muh endangered democracy”

in that ?

the democrat party
is

organized crime.

[little jeremiah]

I called it Mordor on the Potomac for years. It has a new name now - Sodom and Gomorrah on the Potomac!

[little jeremiah]

Weird how eco-nazis and their assistant tyrants in gov want to take out dams. I assume it’s part of the mission to render us starved and poverty stricken.