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FRIDAY, JULY 20, 2001

Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) on Thursday introduced a bill to remove four federal dams on the Snake River in eastern Washington if efforts to save endangered and threatened salmon fail.

The bill requires the General Accounting Office to study breaching the dams and possible extinction of the salmon. The report is due at the end of 2003.

If necessary, the Army Corps of Engineers would remove the dams to protect treaty rights, save the salmon, or meet clean water standards.

Nine federal agencies last December signed an agreement which seeks to protect the salmon. Under the plan, breaching, which is supported by tribes and environmentalists, won't be considered until as early as 2003.

Get the Story:
Bill to remove dams introduced (AP 7/20)

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