Similarly, timber interests feel they've given enough. Two groups agree Environmentalists and fishermen, meanwhile, are concerned that federal fisheries managers are even considering leaving the dams in place. The numbers speak for themselves. If the salmon runs continue to decline, Fick fears more job losses. He supports helping people upriver compensate for any job losses.
Businesses catering to recreational anglers are worried, too.
Environmentalists and fishermen cite federal studies showing that while thousands of jobs would be lost, thousands of jobs also would be created. In the short run, the job picture looks great. In the first decade or so, some 24,000 jobs would be created, mostly in construction work in breaching the dams, building improved highway and rail routes for grain shipments, and related tasks. But federal officials say, some 6,200 jobs eventually would vanish, mostly in farming, dam operations and reduced consumer spending resulting from higher electric rates. A study this month by environmental groups disputed that conclusion.