Baumgartner Applauds Withdrawal from Dam-Breaching Agreement

WASHINGTON-Congressman Michael Baumgartner (WA-05) today released a statement applauding President Trump's decision to withdraw from the 2023 Columbia Basin salmon agreement, which laid the groundwork for breaching the four Lower Snake River dams.

The now-rescinded agreement-negotiated in 2023 between federal agencies, Northwest tribes, the states of Washington and Oregon, and environmental groups-pledged over $1 billion for fish restoration, alternative energy studies, and plans to replace the dams' critical benefits, including power generation, transportation, irrigation, and recreation.

"I'm pleased to see President Trump withdraw from the 2023 salmon agreement that would have paved the way to tear down our local dams," said Congressman Baumgartner. "It was an act of extreme environmentalism by the last Administration that excluded critical stakeholders, sidelined Congress' role, and should never have been signed by the federal government.

"Protecting salmon is vital, but breaching the Lower Snake River dams is not the solution. These dams provide affordable, reliable, and clean energy to nearly a million homes, enable the transport of billions in agricultural goods, and already meet some of the highest standards for fish passage," Baumgartner added.

Let's follow the science, invest in proven fish recovery efforts, and strengthen the hydropower backbone of our region-not tear it down."