What must be done 1st before ‘terribly stupid idea’ of breaching dams | Opinion

Dam breaching ‘terribly stupid idea’

It is encouraging and refreshing to have Energy Secretary Wright confirm that this administration is not going to continue the nonsensical noise about breaching the lower Snake River dams. (TCH 12/5/25)

If the “save the salmon” folks want to be taken seriously they need to get behind a common sense, graded approach recovery plan. Before jumping to the most drastic breach-the-dams scenario, there are several steps that need to be taken first.

As in: Increase hatchery output; Close the entire salmon fishery for two or three years; Eliminate the bird colonies at the mouth of the Columbia River; Eliminate the sea lions at the mouth of the river and further upstream; Make a real effort to clear the spawning access to the creeks and small rivers in the Northwest and Northern California.

Accomplish this graded program and there will be no need to even mention the terribly stupid idea of breaching the dams and the irreparable damage that it would cause to agriculture, transportation, clean 24/7 energy and the environment of the Inland Empire.

Signs and noise aren’t going to help the fish, a boring common sense approach will!

Bob Cummings, West Richland

Human trafficking often unnoticed

National Human Trafficking Awareness Month is recognized each January. It began after the United States designated Jan. 11 as national Human Trafficking Awareness Day in 2007 to highlight the urgent need to address trafficking and its impact.

The month was later expanded to raise nationwide awareness, support survivors and strengthen prevention efforts. It is important because trafficking often goes unnoticed, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds.

By educating communities, encouraging reporting, and promoting survivor centered resources, this month helps mobilize action, increase protection and foster collaboration across agencies and the public to combat exploitation and support those who are impacted.

For Human Trafficking Awareness Month, SARC is collaborating with Columbia Basin College, as well as local coffee shops and banks in order to raise awareness in our community by sparking conversation and providing resources for those who have questions, want to get involved or have been directly impacted by human trafficking.

Please reach out to SARC for any information regarding services or volunteer opportunities at our office 509-374-5391. For any information on our community awareness events, check out SARC’s website at www.supportadvocacyresourcecenter.org.

Gabby Covarrubias, Richland

Thankful to a Good Samaritan

I was admitted to Kadlec ER on Oct. 9 after coughing up blood. I was discharged at 4 a.m. on Oct. 10. I asked the nurses if I could wait in the waiting room until my wife could pick me up, as she did not answer my call.

The nurses said yes, however when I got into the waiting room the security guard said I have been discharge and need to leave immediately.

I repeatedly tried to call my wife from the hospital phone. I asked the staff if they would call me a cab, and they said no.

Shame on them. I started walking home, which is 6.5 miles away. God bless the lady who found me next to the street near the Highway 240 Bypass Highway about 5 a.m.

Bob Petty, Benton City