Today we're speaking with Jim Waddell on the same day he received a very difficult diagnosis. He shares the story of the dams he helped run on the Lower Snake River, the effect they have on the people and river he loves, and final advice from a lifetime spent pushing bureaucracy in a positive direction.

Jim's Website, Damsense.org

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Referenced Reports (labeled by fact)

Congressional approval is not required to breach the Lower Snake River Dams; Bonneville Power Association can do it on their own.

Federal appropriations aren't required to breach the Lower Snake River Dams

The Lower Snake River Dams produce & sell surplus power to customers outside the region (and the profit margin is falling rapidly)

When energy is needed most (summer and winter), the dams don't help much

The dams are made to breach themselves and can be breached easily (in a few hours) by deeming them non-operational and removing the earthen berm

Opening the transmission line means we'll have space to get more renewable energy projects online

Salmon survival rates with the dams in place sit at 50% for Steelhead and 52.5% for spring Chinook

More reports and studies can be found on damsense.org