The Washington state Legislature has allocated $750,000 to discuss removing four dams on the lower Snake River in hopes of helping the state’s ailing orca population.
The Legislature approved funding for a stakeholder forum Sunday night as part of its two-year operating budget.
Funding will secure a process for local, state, tribal, and federal leaders to discuss economic and social costs as well as benefits and tradeoffs associated with breaching or taking down the dams. Supporters say dam removal will boost Chinook salmon populations, which is the preferred prey of Southern Resident killer whales. Critics question whether removing the dams will actually bring back the salmon, pointing to other habitat issues like pollution.
The forum will be the first of its kind in a Northwest state, according to the National Wildlife Federation.
Orca advocates said the funding was one of several “big wins” for salmon restoration in this legislative session. Lawmakers also approved a set of bills that take aim at boat noise, pollution, and dwindling prey.
The plight of Washington’s orcas captured national attention last summer after a grieving killer whale carried her dead calf for 17 days. The Southern Resident population also dropped to an over 30-year low after the death of ailing orca J50.