Spokane, Wash. – Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) today released the following statement after Washington Governor Jay Inslee and Senator Patty Murray published their report and recommendations leaving the door open for breaching the Lower Snake River dams.

“The report and recommendations released today by Governor Inslee and Senator Murray are a welcome step back towards reality, but the fight is far from over. For months, they led a sham process paid for by Washington taxpayers and pandered to radical environmental groups who ignored the facts in pursuit of what is still their end goal–breaching the Lower Snake River dams.

“As stated in today’s recommendation, only Congress has the authority to breach the Lower Snake River dams. That simply is not going to happen, so I’m glad Governor Inslee is indicating he is committed to cleaning up Puget Sound, which is currently a pit of poison for the salmon stocks most critical to the orca. Talk is cheap, though, so I look forward to seeing him take action to get Puget Sound water quality in order.

“I appreciate all of the stakeholders who came forward to make sure the vast, irreplaceable benefits of the Lower Snake River dams were fully known. They truly support our entire way of life in Eastern Washington, and that’s something I will always fight to protect.”

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