Last Updated: May 20, 1999
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Covering sacred
cows
Boise paper’s editorial board does cost analysis of
4 federal dams and concludes that fish would bring a better return; stance
not so popular in Northwest
The Idaho Statesman in Boise tackled a sensitive environmental issue
last summer when it published a three-day editorial series endorsing the
breaching of the four Lower Snake River dams in order to save fish from
extinction. The series has generated considerable discussion and debate
on a critical subject for which the Statesman created a public forum —
truly the hallmark of an effective newspaper editorial.
How did it happen? After a significant number of stories in the Statesman
and elsewhere documenting diminishing salmon and steelhead, the editorial
board identified an opportunity for leadership on an issue that had financial,
biological and cultural impact on the region and, indeed, the nation. The
board agreed to research the issue, with no preconceived notions about
what the solution to the problem might be.
Editorial writer Susan Whaley spent two months investigating why salmon
and steelhead have been headed for extinction. She concluded that the four
dams along the Lower Snake River, built at considerable cost more than
20 years ago, prevent the fish from migrating from Idaho to the Pacific
Ocean. The dams have no flood-control function, produce very little hydroelectric
power, provide irrigation water for 13 Washington farmers, are in need
of maintenance at a cost of about $200 million and require Idaho water
to flush young salmon out to sea. Breaching the dams, the editorial board
agreed, would allow the fish to thrive, create jobs and save American taxpayers
and Northwest ratepayers millions of dollars in the long run. While there
would be some short-term damage, the board suggested ways to minimize the
harm.
The Statesman published its recommendations in a unique format, devoting
two pages of text, photos and graphics to the editorials for three days
straight. The series was clearly labeled as an editorial and occupied the
pages immediately following the traditional editorial and opinion pages.
While many arguments about how to save the salmon have been founded
in emotion, the Statesman based its position on reason, citing scientific
research and economic analysis. The loss of the salmon, according to an
estimate by the Institute for Fisheries Resources, has cost the Northwest
$500 million in annual economic benefits and 25,000 jobs in the fishing
industry. The Bonneville Power Administration spends $300 million a year
on fish recovery efforts. Taxpayers spend almost $100 million a year on
subsidies for barge transportation. And recovery of the fish would mean
an end to the costs incurred by loggers, miners, ranchers and outfitters
who must comply with the Endangered Species Act.
Still, predictably, many readers did not agree with the conclusions,
and the newspaper provided space to those with different views. Idaho Sen.
Larry Craig, the only member of the state’s congressional delegation to
weigh in so far, responded in writing to the editorials, opposing removal
of any dams. On the other hand, Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber supported part
of the Statesman’s proposal, and the salmon and steelhead fisheries manager
for Idaho Fish and Game recently said breaching the dams is "a biological
no-brainer" if it is decided that the fish runs should be salvaged. And,
a recent poll of Oregonians indicated that their top environmental concern
is the decline of salmon, and they are willing to pay to restore the fish.
Whether one agrees or disagrees with the Statesman’s position, there’s
no doubt that the newspaper made a clear and forceful argument and inspired
others around the region to think about what’s at stake and, in many cases,
join in the debate. The newspaper’s series has drawn attention to the issue
just as the deadline approaches for the federal government to make a final
decision about the fate of the four Lower Snake dams in 1999.
Baker is executive editor of The Idaho Statesman, Boise.
