[5] Lower Snake Dredging Lawsuit Finally Dismissed

A federal judge in Seattle has approved a settlement between environmental and fishing groups and the Corps of Engineers that paves the way for the navigation channel in the lower Snake to be dredged for the first time since the winter of 1998-1999. The EIS is scheduled for completion by late 2009.

The Corps has agreed to study the issue of sediment buildup in the lower Snake, contingent on funding, and draft a comprehensive environmental impact statement on a plan that deals with the problem.

"We think this is a win-win for everyone," said Jack Sands, channel maintenance project manager for the Corps. The Corps wants to remove 450,000 cubic yards of sediment from several different places in the channel, especially in the Clearwater River, near Lewiston, where several grain barges have run aground.

Environmental advocates say the dredging will harm juvenile salmon that hang out in the reservoir behind Lower Granite Dam. Bert Bowler of Idaho Rivers United told the Oregonian last month that Lower Granite Dam was creating a flood hazard for Lewiston and Clarkston. He wanted the Corps to acknowledge the true cost of the dams. His group has pushed for years to breach the four lower Snake dams. -B. R.

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