OpinionApril 23, 2018

Lisa Brown recently told The Spokesman-Review she doesn't support Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers's bill to protect the Snake River dams. In the same article, Brown also said a collaborative approach is needed.

As a candidate for Congress, I hope she understands the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act and the process to produce a biological opinion each requires substantial collaboration and a lengthy public comment process so local, regional, tribal and federal stakeholders, along with concerned citizens, can have a say.

McMorris Rodgers's biological opinion bill would continue this collaborative work.

Brown wants both a collaborative agreement, but disagrees with a bill that would grant one?

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After reading her statement, it's obvious that Brown either doesn't understand the issue, or would rather follow Patty Murray and Seattle liberals in supporting flawed litigation led by extreme environmental groups over commonsense approaches to ensure dams and fish can coexist. It seems like Brown is already more invested in pleasing her Seattle donors over representing eastern Washington.

Megan Lavagnino

East Wenatchee, Wash.

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