What is this plan all about?

Congressman Simpson’s plan breaks historic barriers between people and industries throughout Idaho, effectively aiming to end the “Salmon Wars.” The once either/or options of having sustainable salmon/steelhead runs OR cost effective power, transportation for our grain OR healthy fish populations could be ended with this proposal. This new approach to a long standing issue goes the way of inclusion, a way of including and covering everyone that is or could possibly be affected by this plan. By bringing all parties to the table, learning what they need and offering the appropriate resources to meet these needs, this plan ensures that every Idahoan is taken care of and given the opportunity they need to succeed in the future. While this plan still has many issues to face and details to discuss, Congressman Simpson’s plan provides a path to a brighter future for Idaho, a future that holds reliable power, affordable transportation and shipping and increased populations of salmon and steelhead.

How much will this plan cost and where does that money come from?

The plan, at present and as written, is somewhere between $32-35 billion. This may seem like an inordinate amount of money, and standing alone this price tag would be extremely difficult to swallow. However we have currently spent $17-18 billion on salmon recovery that is not working. There are serious discussions within the current Federal administration to pass a roughly $2 trillion infrastructure spending package as early as this year. If Simpson’s plan gains traction, it has very good odds of being worked into this larger stimulus package.

Where will this money be appropriated?

As of the time of writing, about half of the money will go directly to BPA. The other half of the money will be divided up according to what each affected organization/industry needs to improve or sustain operations/communities/obligations. The allotted funds in many cases will be given to these stakeholders without limiting restrictions as to how exactly to spend it. The stakeholders will be given the resources they asked for and can appropriate them as they deem most necessary/appropriate. Looking at the plan, the impacted organizations/industries covered are comprehensive. It took Simpson and his staff years, and many hundreds of meetings, to ensure every community, need, investment and assurance was accounted for.

How will this affect the outfitting industry, my business and our communities?

While all aspects of this plan are subject to change, Idaho’s outfitting industry stands to benefit significantly from this plan. According to anadromous fish experts, the “single most effective action we can take to save our salmon and steelhead is to remove the Lower Four Snake River dams.” Retiring these dams will, over time, allow our salmon and steelhead populations to recover, in turn alleviating the pressures and difficulties associated with lower returning fish (ie: shortened and closed fishing seasons, lower bag limits, etc.) As we have historically seen (2000 and 2001 being classic examples), the stronger the runs the more people want to experience fishing for them. This economic boost extends past the individual outfitter and fishing guide and also benefits the local economy of the communities that depend on sportfishing.

In addition, our industry stands to benefit beyond the business that larger fish runs bring, for example: the removal or attenuation of ESA restrictions/regulations on the river (sections) and creeks where many of these endangered fish spawn, less need for river sections (SF Snake, etc.) higher up in the watersheds to augment flows for downstream temperature control and “flushing flows,” as well as more people traveling to and participating in Idaho’s variety of guided outdoor activities. These ancillary benefits are not ‘river-sector’ specific. For land based guides and outfitters, this could mean relaxing or removing some of the regulations you have to navigate--additional corrals, tent/camp location, creek crossings, and riparian restoration corridors and blockages.

Not least, for the many outfitters and guides who purchase power from BPA (through your rural electric utility or otherwise), it could mean a significant reduction in your monthly bills, as BPA customers pay a portion of fish mitigation costs with every bill. These costs are currently funding a recovery program that is not working as fewer fish are returning each year.

Are there more recreational opportunities in this plan than just more potential fishing/fish?

Definitely. Right now the plan calls for the creation of a National Recreation Area along the entire current reservoir section of the Lower Snake. This recreation area will be designed to be an “easily accessible, family friendly," tourism-centric scene along the Snake River. Recreational opportunities could include hiking, rafting, fishing, hunting and jet boating. The plan allots millions of dollars to restore the river corridor, provide access and facilities, as well as market and promote the new outdoor opportunities. The plan does not talk specifics about outfitting in the corridor. If/when an opportunity to further discuss these opportunities presents itself, IOGA plans to be involved to its greatest ability possible.

What, if any, negative effects might this mean for our fishery ?

Some studies have indicated that during the removal phase of the dams, sport fishing could be adversely affected, including possible closures on seasons, etc. If this were to happen, a specific fund exists to give fishing outfitters, guides and their communities monetary compensation during/for these closures.

Are we sure that dam retirement is necessary?

The science regarding the impacts of the Lower Four Snake River Dams is clear: the single-most viable path to recover Idaho’s salmon and steelhead to abundant, sustainable, and harvestable populations is to restore the Snake River by retiring the four dams on its lower stretches.¹ Certainly, there are other contributing factors. The first is poor ocean conditions. The second is the warming of our rivers due to climate change and other contributing factors. At this time both reversing either of these factors is more complex than the third. The third, and only realistically, actionable variable is the four (4) dams on the lower Snake River. Fish that come back into the Columbia and do not have to ascend these 4 dams (i.e. turn off onto a smaller river before they get to the dams on the Snake) consistently have higher rates of return than those fish who are forced to navigate the Lower 4 Snake River dams. This is a complicated subject matter and this small description by no means do it justice. However, the retirement of the LSRD is to our best knowledge and understanding the most effective and approachable way to increase and sustain Idaho runs of salmon and steelhead.

What happens to the management of our fishery?

Right now, part of our fishery is managed by Federal agencies (managing the entire Pacific Northwest), part is managed by the state (IDFG/OSC), and part managed by the native tribes. This plan would establish a Northwest State and Tribal Fish Council to jointly manage the entire fishery. Each state would have 1 vote (ID, OR, WA, MT) and the naive tribes would match these with 4 of their own selected delegates. The goal is to put the management of our fisheries into the hands of people connected to fish recovery. The plan also outlines significant increases in annual budgets available for hatchery production as well as an additional separate fund for hatchery upgrades.

What about hatchery funding and operations?

Hatcheries will continue to operate under the budget and guidance of the newly established state and tribal council, no longer operated directly by BPA. They will have potentially higher budgets than they are currently operating under. In addition to a potential overall budget increase, there is an additional fund available for much needed hatchery upgrades (aligning with recommendations from Idaho’s Governor's Workgroup).

What does this plan mean beyond dam retirement?

This is a huge proposal for major investment in Idaho and throughout the northwest for infrastructure upgrades and job opportunities related to recreation, agriculture, transportation, energy, and salmon and steelhead.

Does this plan account for the needs of my neighbors, other industries?

Congressman Simpson and his staff hosted over 300 meetings over a two year period gathering information about how action regarding the dams would affect local communities, organizations, stakeholders and industries. While this plan is a work in progress, he has set as a priority making this plan inclusive of everyone’s needs and addressing all potential impacts of the actions in this plan. From what we’ve seen, it takes care of all of us.

Is this plan a bill? Will I get to vote on this?

The plan right now is simply that…a plan. If it gains support over the coming days, weeks, months then it is possible it could be written into a bill that would be attached to a larger stimulus or transportation package moving through Congress.