Letter from Chehalis River Alliance and other organizations and businesses opposing proposed dam

While we empathize with those affected by flooding, the proposed dam is not the solution to the floods impacting communities in the Chehalis Basin.

The following is a joint letter opposing the proposed Chehalis Dam from regional organizations and businesses. Technical comments from the Chehalis River Alliance, including our Cascades to Olympics Program Coordinator, are also available here. 

Visit this webpage for Conservation Northwest’s organizational comments, or learn more about our Cascades to Olympics program.

 

MAY 26, 2020 – VIEW ELECTRONIC COPY (PDF) or scroll down

To the Chehalis Basin Board, the Department of Ecology, and Anchor QEA:

We, the undersigned businesses, organizations, officials, and individuals, stand with the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis and the Quinault Indian Nation in opposition to the construction of a dam on the upper Chehalis River above the town of Pe Ell, Washington. While we empathize with basin citizens whose livelihoods and property have been impacted, the proposed dam is not a sustainable or practical solution to the devastating floods impacting communities throughout the Chehalis Basin.

Construction of the proposed dam will provide only a minimal flood reduction benefit for a limited number of residents in a small portion of the basin. Nor will it protect residents from the most devastating flood levels such as those experienced during the 2007 event. Residents and businesses in the lower basin, and along other flood-prone Chehalis River tributaries would not receive any benefit from the proposed dam. We cannot rationalize the expenditure of over $628 million on a project that will not address a problem that all basin residents face.

At a time when wild salmon and steelhead runs are in rapid decline across the Pacific Northwest, the Chehalis Basin remains one of Washington’s last best chances to get salmon recovery right. Construction of the proposed dam however, with its associated support infrastructure, would decimate the opportunity for salmon in the Chehalis Basin to return to their once thriving historic population levels. A few of the significant impacts the proposed dam would have on salmon include the destruction of over 12 miles of riparian habitats, elimination of critical spawning and rearing habitat for spring Chinook and steelhead, and the increase of river temperatures to near lethal levels.

The impacts are not relegated to just salmon but will also have significant impacts on wildlife species and recreationists. Wildlife impacts include chronic disturbance during the proposed 5- year construction period, loss of breeding habitat and migratory corridors and a reduction in food resources for the already endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales. Additionally, the proposed structure would eliminate 12 miles of recreational boating opportunity and significantly decrease the fishability of the Chehalis due to both a lack of access and a decline in salmon and steelhead populations identified above.

The flooding problems we face are not new. They are over one hundred years in the making. While there is not a one-size-fits all solution, there is an urgent need to act now to make changes that will set success into motion. We support implementation of a comprehensive local actions alternative that includes:

• Elevating homes, businesses, and utilities so they are above floodwater levels
• Acquiring flood-prone properties and preventing additional floodplain development.
• Allowing uninhabited areas to flood, which slows down flood waves heading for settled areas, stores groundwater for summer use, and restores soil for
• Replacing undersized culverts to prevent water from backing up and flooding nearby homes, buildings, and towns during heavy rain

We do not have 10 years to wait. We need to get to work now on solutions that are proven, are a wise investment, will reduce flood damage risk now, and will help restore the Chehalis Basin for communities, fish, wildlife, and clean water.

learn more about our CASCADES TO OLYMPICS connectivity program led by local staff in southwest Washington, or Read our organizational comments on the proposed Chehalis Basin and CHEHALIS AQUATIC SPECIES RESTORATION PLAN.