WPC: People Want to Keep Dams, Help Salmon
The Washington Policy Center recently conducted a poll to see what people know about the Snake River dams, and their willingness to remove those dams. WPC conducted its poll November 18th through the 21st, asking Washingtonians what they know about the Snake River dams and their interest in helping migrating salmon. According to the Center’s results, 93% of poll respondents did not know how many Snake River dams there are; the correct answer is four.
In addition, most people thought the population of salmon in the river system had been steadily declining since 1995, when WPC says the opposite is true, with fish populations increasing over the past 20-plus years. When asked their willingness to pay higher electricity bills to have the dams removed, respondents said they were not, by a nearly two-to-one margin. When asked if they were willing to pay more to keep the dams and improve fish passage, again, by a two-to-one margin, Washingtonians said they would.
Other poll results show, 42% believe the state is overall headed in the right direction, with 40% saying Washington is moving the wrong direction.
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