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Salmon Recovery by Briana Orr, Boise Idaho Statesman, May 14, 2006

This year's dismally low salmon returns are an indication that the status quo for salmon recovery is not working. If salmon returns don't improve, salmon will face extinction very soon. And if this happens, we will ultimately be in violation of the Pacific Salmon Treaty, The Clean Water Act, The Treaty Reserved Fishing Rights and the Endangered Species Act. I don't want salmon extinction to be the legacy of my generation.

If Idaho's future is to include restored salmon and steelhead runs, the federal government needs to examine the full realm of recovery options, including the removal of four costly dams on the lower Snake River in Eastern Washington. These dams are costing taxpayers and are killing salmon.

Scientists have indicated that removal of these four dams will give Idaho's salmon an 80 percent to 100 percent chance of recovery. We now have other means of producing energy; wind and solar are among the best suited for Idaho.

We cannot afford to pass up this window of opportunity to save the salmon and restore the Snake River.