What are the economic benefits of maintaining the lower Snake River navigation channel?
A. The costs savings of transportation by barge on the lower Snake River, compared to other transportation methods, are estimated to be $43 million a year. The lower Snake River waterway is 141 miles from the confluence with the Columbia River to Lewiston, Idaho. In 2000, 6.7 million tons of cargo was transported on the waterway. The majority of the cargo shipped was agricultural products and petroleum. Q. What impact does dredging have on fish? What steps has the Corps taken to minimize this effect? A. Dredging and disposal of dredged material is expected to have minor short term negative impacts to fish using the activity areas during the dredging and disposal period. The dredging proposed will use the most fish friendly equipment possible, at a time of year when the fewest fish are expected to be in the dredging areas, and under strict monitoring conditions for turbidity and water chemistry parameters that may impact fish. Prior to dredging any areas that might be used by salmon as
