HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LOWER SNAKE RIVER DAMS

Efforts to underscore the vital role of the Lower Snake River dams continued in August, as wheat and potato industry stakeholders hosted 18 federal legislative staffers in Lewiston, Idaho. The purpose of the visit was to showcase the essential services these dams provide to the Pacific Northwest.

The educational tour featured a boat ride through the locks at Lower Granite Dam, followed by an in-depth look at its advanced fish passage system and powerhouse. The group also visited Idaho’s only seaport, the Port of Lewiston, before concluding the day with a dinner at Lindsay Creek Vineyard.

Attendees included staff from numerous congressional offices across the Pacific Northwest, as well as from Hawaii, Virginia, California, Florida, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, North Carolina, Montana, and Indiana. Staff from the House Subcommittee on Water Resources & Environment also participated.

Industry representatives who joined the tour and engaged with the delegation included leaders from regional ports, transportation organizations, cruise lines, and advocacy groups, all emphasizing the economic, hydropower generation, environmental, and logistical importance of the Lower Snake River dams to farm families and regional communities.