Despite Covid-19, DEIS Process for Columbia-Snake Hydrosystem Largely Unchanged
While our day to day lives have been radically altered by the spread of COVID-19, the federal government’s DEIS process continues to roll on, largely unchanged. The public comment period on the draft report began on February 28th and is scheduled to close on April 13th.
This crucial period, in which the lead federal agencies that crafted the report are required to incorporate public input, is the average citizen’s best chance at having their voice heard when it comes to how this plan treats Columbia-Snake River salmon and steelhead. Yet, the federal agencies refuse to extend the public comment period or reschedule public hearings to a point when our society looks more normal.
This report itself is inadequate when it comes to Idaho’s wild salmon and steelhead. It follows in line with 25 years of federal management plans that have only recommended tweaks to a system of dams and reservoirs that is deadly to salmon on their migrations to and from the ocean. Over $17billon in public money has been spent on recovery, yet Idaho’s fish are still Endangered Species Act-listed and their populations are actively declining. Idaho’s river communities suffer, as do its ecosystems when these iconic fish return in low numbers.
Idahoans and Northwesterners alike need a plan that restores the Lower Snake River via dam breaching, turning the knob on recovery and allowing Idaho’s salmon and steelhead populations to become abundant once more. We must demand a revamped system that allows for strong agricultural communities, reliable energy, and abundant fish; our current system clearly does not.
There is still ample opportunity to submit a public comment on this report. The last of a series of teleconferences will take place March 31st from 5:00pm - 9:00pm mountain time. Those that call in to the conference will be given 3 minutes to express their opinions. For information on the teleconferences and how to call in, click here.
Beyond the teleconference process, you can still submit a written comment up until the April 13th deadline on the project website, comments.crso.info. Be sure to let decision-makers know that this report doesn’t recommend the actions necessary to recover our wild salmon and steelhead!
For a more in-depth look at the DEIS and IRU’s position on the report, click here.