Open Thread – Dams and Pelosi?

Last November, Doc Hastings issued some news citing Nancy Pelosi and Jim McDermott being proponents for dam removal in the Northwest.  Specifically this issue likely targets the lower snake.  As many of you know, I don’t support removal of the dams in their lifespan.  While some have said the dams can last for ever, I have always thought that at some time they will out last their usefulness.  But Doc owns this issue.  My question to readers is this… Why?  More to the point, why do democrats allow Hastings to own this issue. 

The question of dams and salmon is undeniable.  Dams aren’t helping.  Yet organizations like Save our Wild Salmon, and democrats across the west evangelize this issue and fuel the fire that burns them every time a would be advocate for a real solution runs in Washington’s 4th or 5th Congressional districts.  You know… a democrat. 

I’ve said it before, changing our energy policy could someday make these dams obsolete.  And breaching dams is more about the replacing the lost energy and transportation.  Environmental impacts could be very serious.  There has to be a thoughtful balance.  Something I don’t believe Hastings, despite his rhetoric, really understands.  After all, if our energy policy and thus our sources for energy changes, letting the dams go wouldn’t be such a big deal for folks in this area.  As long as it was done right.

I know this is a tired old issue around here but the us vs. them mentality eventually has to give.  What do you think?  Better yet, what can we do to take this issue away from dolts like Hastings?

 

Jimmy on January 4, 2007 | Filed Under General

4 Comments

Darci  on January 4th, 2007

You know what this reminds me of? The “family values” hammer used by the Repubs on Dems to such advantage a few years ago. Sure: ALL Dems are godless, child-hating, flag-burning elitists who would just as soon spit on your petunias as defend your children against Harry Potter. And yeah, you bet, all Dems are gunning for the dams, seeing as how none of them work for a living or give a damn about anybody but themselves and their bigshot Hollywood friends. sigh.

Dave Gibney  on January 4th, 2007

Well, I also note that Dick makes accusations toward to follow Representatives without backing them up with any references. Are the statements even true?
I wasn’t aware of any real credible national or statewide politician making a positive effort to breach the damns.
And, you’re correct on the environmental damage of breaching, especially any rapid action. All that silt running down river would kill more than just salmon!

Helen  on January 5th, 2007

It has been noted that perhaps if President Ford had not pardoned Nixon
future Administrations would have had second thoughts about power grabs
and secrecy. The case of Glen Canyon Dam reflects this. (Of course, the rapid
expansion and development of the Southwest might not have happened and
the cities of Phoenix and Los Angeles might not have grown so rapidly and
expanded past the reasonable expections of local aquifiers and above ground
water sources. They may come calling for the Columbia yet!)

Economic and environmental considerations are important in breaching dams.
Perhaps the Elwha will provide some answers.

Dave Gibney  on January 5th, 2007

I agree that Elwha (and the other one on that river) might provide some insight, but those are very near the ocean.
Another informative experiment may be Condit on the White Salmon, about 30 miles above Bonneville.