Opponents have warned that breaching could seriously harm the region's economy. Removing the dams would cut off barge transport of grain and other bulk cargo, lower reservoirs below irrigation intake pipes, and reduce Northwest electricity supplies by about 4 percent. The draft plans released last July called for limiting harvests, improving salmon habitat on tributaries, and reforming practices at hatcheries. The draft strategy did include engineering studies needed to breach the dams so they are ready if warranted, and called for considering breaching more seriously if salmon were not rebounding. Success was to be evaluated after five, eight and 10 years.
Critics say the draft lacks specifics on costs, goals and timelines.
Let's rebuild this Mother Earth.