Much has been said and written about what should happen with the lower Snake River dams, but results from a new poll released by Washington Policy Center (WPC) reveal proper context is usually missing from the debate.

WPC held a press release yesterday to reveal the results of a new statewide poll of 500 Washington voters concerning the lower Snake River dams.  The poll asked questions concerning voters’ basic knowledge on the dams, Washington’s power supply, fish populations, and feelings about the potential future removal of the dams (a possibility the state is currently “studying”).

The news conference was held in  Kennewick and was attended by all three major network television affiliates in the Tri-Cities, the Tri-City Herald and KONA radio. It was also broadcast on Facebook Live for reporters outside the market.

The statewide poll of 500 Washington voters conducted in late November reveals Washingtonians have limited knowledge about the Snake River dams. Some of the polling highlights indicate:

·         Just 7% of Washingtonians knew there were four dams on the lower Snake River

·         Just 5% of Washingtonians knew salmon populations on the lower Snake River were increasing

·         When Washingtonians were informed about the current debate regarding the lower Snake River dams, 58% opposed removal.

Poll respondents were also asked if they would be willing to pay more for their electricity in order to remove the Snake River dams and help “restore salmon populations,” as environmentalists have promised. Only 33% said they would, 60% said no. Of the 33% who said they’d be willing to pay more, 63% said no more than $20 per month.

Washingtonians were also asked if they’d be willing to pay more for fish passage, while keeping the dams in place. Sixty-five percent said yes, with only 28% saying no.

Click here for the full poll results

Coverage of the conference and the poll results is linked below:

Tri-City Herald

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article238484303.html

Video: https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article238488233.html

NBC KNDO 23 and KNDU 25

https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/new-poll-reveals-washingtonians-knowledge-of-snake-river-dams-and/article_c5498064-20ff-11ea-b196-537a581f4162.html

Video: https://www.nbcrightnow.com/top_video/results-of-snake-river-dam-poll/video_bdba5a8c-2139-11ea-a98b-6bf44c686def.html

FOX 11, FOX 41

https://fox41yakima.com/new-poll-reveals-washingtonians-knowledge-of-snake-river-dams-and-preference-for-their-future/

CBS KEPR

https://keprtv.com/news/local/new-poll-public-doesnt-want-to-destroy-snake-river-dams

KAPP-TV|KVEW-TV Yakima

https://www.yaktrinews.com/news/washington-policy-center-releases-results-of-statewide-poll-on-snake-river-dams/1152307325

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WA Ag Network

https://www.washingtonagnetwork.com/2019/12/18/wpc-people-want-to-keep-dams-help-salmon/