Removal of dams increases electricity rates

The railroads have announced that they can haul grain in 110 car unit trains for less money per ton, then barges on the Snake River can transport it. Almost immediately the fish people want to tear out the Snake River Dams.

They say that they want to restore the salmon and steelhead runs to what they used to be.

How in the world were they able to count the fish before the dams were in place? There were a lot of fishermen in the Washtucna and Kahlotus areas that fished the Snake River in the Lyons Ferry area that spent a lot of time fishing. They caught a great variety of fish but not many salmon and steelhead.

There is one thing that is certain; if the dams are removed your electric bill will go up by three to four times as much as the present rate.

Also, it is certain that irrigation water will be gone and there are millions of tons of contaminated soil that will be washed downstream with unknown results.

Will the smelts be able to live in the water?

We allowed several railroads to remove the tracks that were laid by very inexpensive labor. The cost to replace these dams would be many times more than the original dams cost.

The “green people” have a lot of money and a loud voice! If you like low rates for your electricity you need to speak up now! Also, the people who know how to fish are doing very well with the dams in place!

Gerald W. Ray, Spokane