The Future of Columbia-Snake River Hydro Operations
Apr 5, 2021
KENNEWICK, Wash., April 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the past thirty years, the Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association (CSRIA) has steadfastly defended the Lower Columbia-Snake River hydro projects.
CSRIA believes to this day that these projects contribute substantially to the economic vitality of the region, but formidable parties to the Lower Snake River Dam operations seek to "breach" the dams, including EarthJustice, the state of Oregon, several Tribal interests, a multitude of environmental groups, and even some municipal and elected representatives.
Map of Lower Snake River and Lower Columbia River Dams
What is now happening? What about the federal hydro agencies' "new" environmental impact statement (EIS) and biological opinion (BiOp)?
Following a successive string of Court victories, EarthJustice, Oregon, and others have challenged the new EIS "preferred alternative," because it did not include dam breaching/drawdowns, perceived as optimizing fish survival requirements.
The environmental groups stress that the EIS evaluations did acknowledge that dam breaching would likely lead to higher fish survival, but the hydro agencies determined that the economic costs to the power, navigation, and irrigation sectors were unacceptable. The Court will review EarthJustice' claim, and injunctive relief motion, in the next few months.
Does Congress or the federal judiciary have the power to authorize dam breaching decision?
The U.S. District Courts have ruled that they have extensive powers to order agencies to "rebalance" the purposes of the federal hydro projects—both on the Columbia River system and elsewhere. In effect, the Courts hold that they have the (Congressionally authorized) rebalancing authority under the Northwest Power Act ("equitable treatment" for power and fish), per the ESA mandates, and perhaps even under new applications of the Clean Water Act. Under existing Court approved BiOps, the hydro system has already relinquished about 1,200 MWs of firm power.
As a result, it is a small reach for the Court to order further "rebalancing" operations, and CSRIA has grimly concluded that U.S. District (Oregon) Court Judge Michael Simon will rule against the hydro agencies EIS-BiOp and give EarthJustice Court-ordered relief which could include a Lower Snake River dam breaching plan, with a Court-appointed River Master to ensure oversight. Injunctive relief motions will be filed in July 2021.
What can CSRIA do to confront the future?
Against this backdrop, U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) has released a very far-reaching dam breaching "mitigation plan," allocating about $34 billion to many affected (or potentially impacted) parties. For the irrigators, while water rights are protected, about 91,000 acres would experience severe pumping problems requiring major and costly retrofits. Rep. Simpson views Court directives as being inescapable and Governors Jay Inslee and Kate Brown, regional Tribes, and others, support this mitigation review.
CSRIA must engage prudently and realistically in this process, as not being directly involved is a reckless proposition. CSRIA must ensure that its members' businesses and livelihoods and related community economic support services are well represented in the mitigation discussion.
For more information, please contact Darryll Olsen of CSRIA at
[email protected]
or 509-783-1623.
SOURCE Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association
More News
Noah Kahan Announces ‘The Last of the Bugs World Tour’ in Stadiums for Spring and Summer 2027
There are no flies in the ointment of the overwhelming touring success of Noah Kahan. The fan enthusiasm that led to across-the-board sellouts for his “Great Divide World Tour” this past summer is highly likely to continue when his “The Last of the Bugs World Tour” hits stadiums in North America and Europe in the […]
Priyanka Chopra Jonas and V Board Pranav Bhasin’s Oscar-Qualified Indian Short ‘We Were Here’ Alongside Andrew Scott (EXCLUSIVE)
Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Tony-winning activist-playwright V, formerly known as Eve Ensler, have signed on as executive producers of Pranav Bhasin’s Oscar-qualified Indian short “We Were Here.” They join Andrew Scott as the film gears up for awards season. The New Yorker has acquired the short and will premiere it on the magazine’s YouTube channels. […]
Rotterdam Unveils First Titles Locked To World Premiere At 2027 Edition
The International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) has unveiled a first selection of 10 feature titles locked to world premiere in the Bright Future and Harbour sidebars of its 56th edition in early 2027. The Harbour sidebar, inspired by Rotterdam’s port city identity and “offering a safe haven” to contemporary filmmakers pushing cinematic boundaries, welcomes back […]
‘Sweetpea’: Ella Purnell Is Back In Killer Role As Full Trailer Drops For Season 2 Of Sky And Starz Series
“Do you know what? I’m gonna live my truth!” exclaims Ella Purnell’s Rhiannon Lewis… The only issue there is her truth often involves murder. A full trailer for Sweetpea Season 2 has now dropped along with some new images. Wallflower-turned-killer Rhiannon returns in Sky and Starz’s darkly comic thriller series. The action picks up after […]
First Look: ‘Dune 3’ Popcorn Bucket Doubles the Fun
And then some... The post First Look: ‘Dune 3’ Popcorn Bucket Doubles the Fun appeared first on TheWrap.
Fox Video Imagines The Late Bob Uecker Calling Milwaukee Brewers’ First World Series Title
After the Milwaukee Brewers clinched the first World Series title in the 57-year history of the franchise Wednesday night, Fox Sports paid tribute to late announcer Bob Uecker in a video imagining him calling the milestone. “As Ueck looks down from above, proud of his boys, we thought, ‘What would this title run have sounded […]
‘Dune 3’ Popcorn Bucket Has Two Sandworms That ‘Make It Easier to Share’
In 2024, AMC Theatres went viral after moviegoers discovered the sandworm-inspired popcorn bucket for “Dune: Part Two” was… suggestive, to say the least. The iconic vessel was the subject of countless memes and later immortalized on “Saturday Night Live” in a sketch about a teenager with other plans for the souvenir container. Now AMC is […]
‘Hamilton’ Celebrates 10th Anniversary With Deluxe Vinyl Box Set Featuring Original Broadway Cast Reunion and Unreleased Tracks
Ten years after “Hamilton” made its Broadway debut, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony-winning musical has received a deluxe box set that brings together fresh recordings, previously unreleased tracks and behind-the-scenes material. “Rise Up! Hamilton: The Anthology,” released through Rhino Records and Atlantic, is available in limited-edition seven-LP and five-CD formats. The collection includes the musical’s original 2015 […]
Russell Brand's wife finally testifies in his ongoing trial
Russell Brand’s wife finally testifies in his ongoing trialRussell Brand's wife Laura has finally given her statement to the court as her husband’s rape trial still remains ongoing. The 39-year-old told the jury at his rape and sexual assault trial that "the way he treats me is to know me"...
Erin Foster Details Real-Life Proposal That Inspired Nobody Wants This
This article contains spoilers for Nobody Wants This season three. It’s safe to say everybody would want a proposal like this. Erin Foster just revealed that the uber romantic way in which Adam...
Marcus Theatres Posts Record Q3 Led By ‘Spider-Man’, ‘The Odyssey’ Amid Box Office Boom
Marcus Theatres posted its highest third quarter revenue and profit ever as the box office boomed led by Spider-Man: Brand New Day, The Odyssey and a diverse slate of films. Theatrical revenues rose 21% to $145 million for the three months ended in September; operating income of $22.2 million rose by $9.9 million. Admission revenues […]
‘The Diplomat’ Renewed for Season 5 at Netflix
It’s official: The Diplomat is getting a fifth season at Netflix! Season Four debuted earlier this month, and is currently […] The post ‘The Diplomat’ Renewed for Season 5 at Netflix appeared first on Just Jared - Celebrity News, Entertainment News & Photos.
YOUR NEWS, OUR NETWORK.
Do you have Great News you want to tell the world?
Be it updates about your business or your community, you can make sure that it’s heard by submitting your story to our network reaching hundreds of news sites across 6 verticals.