The Washington Post has reported that Idaho Republican Senator, Larry Craig, has successfully eliminated the Fish Passage Center, an agency that counts endangered fish in the Columbia River. The center, located in Portland, uses meticulous mathematical methods for fish counting, but Craig claims that such methods are “data cloaked in advocacy” and that “false science leads people to false choices.” Craig needs to understand that scientists don’t think and behave live politicians.

When the Fish Passage Center documented how hydroelectric dams are killing fish, last summer a federal judge in Portland ordered that more water be spilled over the dams in order to increase fish survival. Utility companies were angered by the decision since such action would eat into their profits, so they turned to their darling in the Senate, Larry Craig:

…in his last election campaign in 2002 [Craig] received more money from electric utilities than from any other industry and who has been named “legislator of the year” by the National Hydropower Association.

…Shortly after Judge James A. Redden issued his order, Craig began pushing to cut all funding for the Fish Passage Center.

A coincidence, maybe?

Just as hydroelectric power is an important aspect of the Northwest’s economy, so too is salmon. For the sake of economic stability, particularly to rural coastal and river communities, a balance needs to be found. This point seems to be forgotten in the overall debate about hydropower and salmon. It’s estimated that restored fisheries could bring 6 billion dollars in economic benefit to the Northwest from sportfishing alone. Last spring when salmon runs were low, local businesses lost millions of dollars in revenue due to the salmon no-show.

The rural communities that cater to the annual influx of sportsmen and women suffer the biggest economic blow when salmon runs fail expectations. Many communities are dependent on the salmon economy, and senators like Craig don’t seem to take this into account when they choose to ignore the scientific studies that are needed in order to make smart decisions about the Northwest’s economy.

Over at the Citizens Blog, contributor Eric Miller wonders how one Senator can “single-handedly kill a program of such importance to the entire Pacific Northwest.” And he goes on to ask us where was the rest of the Northwest delegation on this. Let’s find out by contacting our House members and Senators. You can do so directly through Onward Oregon and you can also call our representatives at the DC switch board: 877.762.8762

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 30th, 2005 at 1:27 pm and is filed under Economy, Environment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.