SNAKE RIVER, ICE HARBOR DAM TOUR

The future health of the Snake and Columbia River System is important for communities in the Pacific Northwest. As with any important issue the Washington State legislature deals with, developing a thorough understanding of our shared natural resource will help guide better policy discussions. Over 56 persons including legislative offices participated in a tour of the Columbia and Snake River system including locking through Ice Harbor Dam. Key discussions given by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers included the Pasco Levee System & Recreation Site Management; Ice Harbor Turbine Replacement Project; and Operations to Optimize Fish Passage and Navigation Lock. Other presentations included Meeting Mandates, Recovering Salmon, and Protecting Disadvantaged Communities;  Clean Energy Policy Consequences and the Increasingly Fragile Northwest Power Grid; Irrigation – The Need for Food Security; and River Transportation – A Gateway for Regional Growth & Carbon Reduction.  Thank you to all presenters and sponsors of the program:

Northwest Dairy Association

Northwest Grain Growers

Northwest RiverPartners

NW Agricultural Cooperative Council

Pacific Northwest Waterways Association (PNWA)

Shaver

Tidewater

Tri-Cities Grain

Washington Association of Wheat Growers

Washington Grain Commission

Washington Potato & Onion Association

Washington Public Ports Association

Washington State Potato Commission