Study shows dam breaching costs, impacts

The Pacific Northwest Waterways Association recently released a study that states the removal of the Lower Snake River Dams will cost the country $2.3 billion over the next 30 years.

PNWA contracted with FCS Group, an economic and financial consultant, to complete the study. The objective was to see what impacts would occur to transportation and infrastructure if dam breaching were to occur and closure of the four Lower Snake River locks.

According to the summary of findings from this study, the Columbia/Snake River system is the largest wheat export gateway in the US. Almost half of the wheat...