Call Representative DeFazio in support of SEAPA

From the desk of Karl Mueller: This weekend TU 678 members assisted our coalition partner Save Our Wild Salmon to gather over 100 signatures urging Bob Lohn, Director of NOAA Fisheries to consider breaching the four lower Snake River dams in the Columbia River Bi-op. TU and Save Our Wild Salmon believe that this is the only way to recover Snake River ESA listed Chinook and Steelhead. On the Snake River, Coho have already gone extinct as have Sockeye and Chinook are barely hanging on. From historic numbers of about 1.5 million fish to the 1960's average of 100,000 fish to a current ten year average of 9,500 wild chinook the trendline that emerges is clear and convincing.







TU also supports House Bill 1507 known as The Salmon Economic Analysis Planning Act (SEAPA). That bill would fund a study to consider the economic impacts removal of the four lower Snake River Dams. Peter DeFazio, has been working behind the scenes to kill this bill. We are desperate to get 30 calls in the Rep DeFazio urging him to support SEAPA. The calls can be short, such as 'My name is, my address is, please support SEAPA. Thank you.' Please take this action.

Rep. DeFazio's phone number is: 541-465-6732

DeFazio's stated opposition is:

1. He does not support the assumption of the act, that dismantling the Columbia Hydrosystem is the only way to recover ESA listed Chinook and Steelhead.

The fact is that the act is a studies bill and make no such assumption.

Furthermore, it is directed specifically at the four lower Snake River dams and not the 'Columbia Hydrosystem.'

2. Peter believes we have to consider the economic impacts of dam removal.

The bill is called the Salmon Economic Analysis and Planning Act. Enough said.

3. We cannot easily make up for the lost power.

Noboday has said that it will be easy, only that it is necessary.

Furthermore, rebuilding the infrastructure will create scores of new jobs.

Here is a link to yesterday's Register-Guard Op-ed.