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Newhouse, McMorris Rodgers Applaud Improving Salmon Runs for Snake River

June 21, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released the following statement in response to recent data showing an increased rate of return for Spring Chinook salmon on the Snake River. Data shows that the Snake River Spring Chinook returns increased by 27%, with more than 29,634 salmon passing the Lower Granite Dam. These returns increased for the second year in a row, continuing the recovery from the recent low point in the population cycle.

"The latest data for the Snake River Spring Chinook returns are encouraging and demonstrate that we are making real strides with our current mitigation efforts. Despite radical environmental groups trying to paint a dire picture of extinction, Spring Chinook returns are trending in the right direction for a second year in a row, proving what we already know: dams and salmon can – and do – co-exist. This year's significant return increase builds on the progress we made last year and is a strong rebuke of hydropower opponents," said Reps. Newhouse and McMorris Rodgers.

They continued, "We should also celebrate three new orca calves in the Southern Resident pod! According to researchers, with the healthy calves, the pod looks better than it has in a decade. Our goal will continue to be recovering salmon by addressing threats of predation, loss of habitat, and untenable conditions of the ocean and Puget Sound. Together, we can restore our salmon and save the orcas, while also protecting the benefits our dams provide for our region and the leading source of Washington state's clean, reliable, renewable, and affordable energy."

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