HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - BOCCGRANT COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS AGENDA MEETING REQUEST FORM
(Must be submitted to the Clerk of the Board by 12:00pm on Thursday)
REQUESTING DEPARTMENT: BOCC
REQUEST SUBMITTED BY: CEMANELL
CONTACT PERSON ATTENDING ROUNDTABLE: CEMANELL
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION: ❑YES ® NO
DATE: 6/26/2025
PHONE:X2931
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SUGGESTED WORDING FOR AGENDA: (Who What, When, Why,Term, cosh, etc.)
Public Comment Letter to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council on
Recommendations to the Fish and Wildlife Program.
If necessary, was this document reviewed by accounting? ❑ YES ❑ NO 0 N/A
If necessary, was this document reviewed by legal? ❑ YES ❑ NO 0 N/A
DATE OF ACTION: ?—/7d� DEFERRED OR CONTINUED TO:
APPROVE: DENIED ABSTAIN
D1:
r
D2:
D3:
4/23/24
WITHDRAWN:
GRANT COUNTY
OFFICE OF THE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
P 0 Box 37
EPHRATA WA 9BB23
(509) 754-201 1
July 1, 2025
Northwest Power and Conservation Council
ATTN: Chair Milburn and Members of the Council
RE: Comments on a Recommendation to the Fish and Wildlife Program
Chair Milburn and Members of the Council,
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Northwest Power and Conservation
Council's (Council) Fish and Wildlife Program recommendations. We are the Board of
Commissioners of Grant County, presiding in Ephrata, Washington. Our hydropower system
is important to us because of Grant County's proximity to hydropower system operations,
dams and salmon populations. For that reason, we are asking you to consider the following
as you review the recommendations you have received:
Use 21st century science to determine recovery objectives: The Council should adopt the
recommendations encouraging the use of the best available modern science to reevaluate its
recovery objectives. The current objectives are based on estimates that are nearly four
decades old and should consider new science. This is harmful to the Program's credibility
and is contrary to the Council's obligation under the law. The time is now to review their
accuracy and feasibility.
Hydro system operations: The Northwest is facing immense challenges to maintain an
affordable, reliable, and clean electric grid. Increased spill reduces the output of the hydro
system when millions of people need the electricity more than ever. Further, spill has not
been proven to benefit salmon or other fish species more than other alternatives, including
juvenile barging. The Council should instead explore opportunities to maintain or increase
the generation of carbon -free, affordable hydropower while continuing to make impactful
progress to mitigate the impacts of our multi -purpose foundational hydropower system.
"a�EER. Ey AND FUTURE NEEDS2 SERVING R,I TJ WITH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ENTITI�inVdyIea ffPSTERING
v1i11� A RESPECTFUL AND �vIICCE 5FUL WORK ENVIRONMENT." 1�V1
District 1 lllstnct District 3
Lower Snake River dams: Recommendations to the Council to entertain dam breaching, or
the study of dam breaching, should once again be rejected. Dismantling the hydro system is
not consistent with the purposes of the Northwest Power Act.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment. We look forward to the Council's response to
these matters.
Sincerely,
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Rob Wair
Cindy Catter, Vice -Chair
6iA14;)e-
Kevin R. B Bess, Member