Many in the farming community, including Representative Dan Newhouse, said the opposition against the Snake River dams has become more intense as of recent. The Chair of the Western Caucus points out that Washington Governor Jay Inslee, Washington senator Patty Murray, and the White House have stepped up their pressure on breaching the dams.

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“The pressure has never been greater.  And something that those of us who appreciate the benefits that the dams provide to our communities in central Washington have to be made aware of, so we don’t let those voices win.  We have to fight, we have to be as strong as possible in preserving these very important pieces of infrastructure in central Washington.”

Newhouse noted the farming community cannot be quite and stand on the sidelines. While Newhouse plans to take that testimony in the coming months, he also is planning to host several members of Congress, in late May or early June, so they can see all the benefits those dams provide, up close and personal.

“A lot of the people that are criticizing the dams really have never been up close and personal with them.  And I think that it’s very important for people to see first hand what exactly it is we’re talking about so that they can experience it for themselves, the transportation benefits, the irrigation benefits, and obviously the power generation benefits of the hydro-electric facilities we have in the Pacific Northwest.”

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