Senator Patty Murray, both Democrats, released a report stating that carbon-free electricity produced by the dams must be replaced before they are breached. The U.S. government announced on Thursday that it plans to invest over $1 billion over the next decade to help restore depleted salmon populations in the Pacific Northwest. Additionally, the government has agreed to explore ways to offset the hydropower, transportation, and other benefits provided by the controversial dams on the Snake River, should Congress ever decide to breach them.

Although President Joe Biden's administration did not explicitly call for the removal of the dams, Northwest tribes and conservationists view this agreement as a road map towards dismantling them. Filed in U.S. District Court in Oregon, the agreement puts a pause on long-running litigation over the federal operation of the dams and represents a significant step towards breaching them.

The Columbia River Basin, once the world's greatest salmon-producing river system, has seen a decline in its salmon stocks, with four species already extinct and seven listed under the Endangered Species Act. The survival of another endangered species, the population of killer whales, is also closely tied to the abundance of salmon. Dams have been identified as a primary cause of the decline in salmon populations, and federal fisheries scientists have determined that breaching the dams on the Snake River would provide the best chance for their recovery by granting the fish access to vital habitat and spawning grounds in Idaho.

Conservation groups initiated a lawsuit against the federal government over two decades ago to protect the fish. They argue that the ongoing operation of the dams violates the Endangered Species Act and treaties established in the mid-19th century, guaranteeing tribal nations the right to harvest fish.

Republican lawmakers who oppose dam breaching have expressed concerns about the agreement. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers from Washington believes it jeopardizes the region's energy, irrigation, and navigation benefits that support their way of life. However, under the agreement, the U.S. government will construct new clean energy projects in the Pacific Northwest to replace the hydropower generated by the dams. The Bonneville Power Administration, responsible for operating the dams, will invest $300 million over the next decade to restore native fish and their habitats throughout the Columbia River Basin. The agreement also allocates funds to Oregon, Washington, and four tribes involved - the Yakama Nation, the Nez Perce Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs.

Moreover, the agreement addresses concerns about dam operations by increasing water spill in certain periods to aid specific salmon runs, such as spring and summer Chinook. However, environmental law firm Earthjustice argues that reducing spill during late summer, when energy demand is high, could harm fall Chinook.

Utility and business groups, including Northwest RiverPartners, the Public Power Council, and the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association, have voiced their opposition to the agreement. They claim that it undermines efforts to achieve clean energy goals and will lead to increased electricity rates in the region. These groups argue that the greatest threat to salmon is the warming and acidifying ocean, rather than the dams.

While there is a growing recognition that the negative impacts of dams on fish outweigh their benefits, only a few lawmakers in the region have endorsed the idea of dam breaching. Some dams in Washington state and along the Oregon-California border have already been or are in the process of being removed. In 2021, Republican Representative Mike Simpson of Idaho proposed removing the berms on the Lower Snake River dams and investing $33 billion to replace the dams' benefits.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee, although declining to endorse dam breaching, emphasized the importance of finding ways to replace the benefits provided by the dams. He believes that having this information will enable Congress to make a well-informed decision. President Biden's previous directive to restore abundant salmon runs in the Columbia River Basin did not explicitly call for dam removal but highlighted the need to consider the energy needs of the region without jeopardizing the well-being of the salmon.

In conclusion, the agreement between the U.S. government, tribal nations, and conservationists marks a significant step towards the potential breaching of the controversial dams on the Snake River. While the agreement does not explicitly call for dam removal, it outlines a pathway and addresses concerns about dam operations and the need for clean energy replacements. However, opposition from Republican lawmakers and utility/business groups remains, with concerns raised about the impact on energy, irrigation, and navigation benefits. The fate of the dams and the future of salmon populations in the Pacific Northwest hang in the balance as stakeholders navigate the complex dynamics of economic, environmental, and tribal interests.