A September 8 festival showcasing all the benefits of the
rivers and the hydrosystem
(TRI-CITIES, WA) -- Local utilities – Franklin PUD, Benton
PUD, and Benton REA - have joined businesses, community organizations and
people of all walks of life throughout the region to host RiverFest 2018. Set for Saturday, September 8, RiverFest
2018, a fun and educational family event, will feature exhibitors, vendors and
entertainment to showcase all the benefits of the Federal Columbia River Power
System and highlight the four lower Snake River dams including navigation, irrigation,
recreation and power.
“RiverFest 2018 will help raise awareness about the overall
hydrosystem, specifically the Snake River dams that are vital to our economy,”
said Colin Hastings, chairman of RiverFest 2018 and CEO of the Pasco Chamber of
Commerce.
RiverFest will be held Saturday, September 8, from 11:00
a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at east end of Columbia Park in Kennewick, Washington.
Over the years there has been a continued movement to have
the four Snake River dams removed. At the same time, billions of dollars have
been invested in the dams to mitigate the impacts to fish. This has increased
downstream salmon migration survival rates to 1960 levels, before the Snake
River dams were constructed.
The dams are valuable components of the Northwest’s clean,
carbon-free, low-cost hydropower that thousands of jobs rely upon. Dam removal
would kill jobs, take away clean, renewable power, eliminate river navigation,
impair the environment, and hurt agriculture - and there is no scientific proof
that removing the dams would actually help salmon recovery.
Save the date and plan on attending with your family and
friends. Contact the Pasco Chamber of Commerce (509) 547-9755 for more
information regarding sponsorships, exhibitors, and vendor opportunities.
