Farmers Applaud Trump Administration's Decision to Protect Lower Snake River Dams

July 3, 2025

Farmers across the Pacific Northwest are applauding the Trump administration's recent memorandum protecting the Lower Snake River Dams.

Washington farmer and Washington Association of Wheat Growers past- president Andy Juris says that farmers are very grateful that this critical infrastructure for transporting wheat to important global markets remains a viable option.

"It was a really big deal," said Juris. "It was, a signal to us from the administration that, there was going to be a change in its approach to the infrastructure, to and support of farmers to and support of rural communities. And it did a lot to give us some assurance moving forward that we're going to have a viable, transportation, industry, have steady power and that rural communities are going to continue to be able to survive."

He says the Biden agreement would have caused irreparable harm to the region's stakeholders. If the Lower Snake River dams were to be breached to protect salmon.

"If we had lost the ability to transport our goods on the river, especially in the Pacific Northwest, with over 90% of our wheat being exported, it would have been an economic knockout blow," said Juris. "It's not that rural communities and farmers don't support a healthy river system. We still support research for fish and for a vibrant, healthy ecosystem on the river. But the two can coexist."

Even though the Trump administration's effort is much appreciated, he says that the fight to keep the Lower Snake River dams in place is far from over.

"This was a win," said Juris. "It's been a long process. This is by no means the end of the story. This is something to celebrate and take some momentum off of. But this will end up back in court. This is hopefully a shot in the arm for all of the groups that have been working on this, to try to preserve our, our infrastructure and preserve our river system."

At least for now, farmers can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the lower snake River remains open for business, especially as another harvest fast approaches.

Source: Western Ag Network