ID SJM103

Idaho Legislature opposes removal or breaching of dams on the Columbia-Snake River System and its tributaries, asserting state sovereignty over water resources and prohibiting contributions of Idaho's water for flow augmentation except as authorized by state law.

Contends that only four of thirteen Endangered Species Act-listed salmon runs pass the lower Snake River dams with over 95% survival at each dam, and that National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration biological opinions from 2008, 2014, and 2020 stated dam breaching was not necessary for salmon recovery.

Identifies economic benefits of the Columbia-Snake River System including navigation, hydropower generation providing electricity to 22 rural Idaho utilities, irrigation, flood control, and recreation, and warns that dam removal would increase diesel fuel consumption by nearly 5 million gallons annually and carbon emissions by over 1.2 million tons per year.

Emphasizes the Port of Lewiston's role as Idaho's only seaport, noting that approximately 10% of United States wheat exports and 50% of Idaho-grown wheat are barged through the four Snake River dams, and projecting cruise boat traffic to increase 76% from 19,000 to 33,000 passengers between 2019 and 2022.

Directs the Secretary of the Senate to forward a copy of this memorial to the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and congressional delegations representing Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Oregon.