(Washington, D.C.)— U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) signed a letter demanding the Biden Administration stop any eleventh-hour attempts to breach the four hydroelectric dams on the lower Snake River.

Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) led the letter to U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm.  Crapo and Risch were joined by Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Steve Daines (R-Montana) and John Barrasso (R-Wyoming) in sending the letter.

“The incoming administration should be allowed the time and opportunity to carefully review and shape the management of the Columbia River System, including the lower Snake River dams,” the Senators wrote.  “The river system is the backbone of the Pacific Northwest, providing essential benefits to the region, including energy production, agricultural support, recreation, and transportation.  We remain deeply concerned that key stakeholders from energy, agriculture, transportation, and other critical sectors have been consistently left out of the decision-making process regarding the future of the Federal Columbia River Power System, especially in regard to the dams on the lower Snake River…This failure to engage with affected communities and industries not only undermines the principles of fair governance but also increases the risk for devastating economic and social consequences.”

Read the full letter here.