A new dam is not a right fit for the North Fork of the Snoqualmie. This is not a knee-jerk reaction. This project is a terrible idea. The damage that it does far outweighs any of the potential benefits.

I feel so fortunate that I have the opportunity to experience “Ernie’s Canyon,” the section of the North Fork that is threatened. I travel to North Bend a dozen or more times a year to run this river. It contains the highest quality mile of expert kayaking around, and it is only 40 minutes from Seattle. The beauty, mystery and allure of this wilderness canyon are indescribable. Those that run it agree that this is one of Washington’s, and the United States’, finest whitewater jewels. My opposition to this project is not a selfish desire to keep this river free-flowing for myself: soon enough the passage of time will mean I won’t be at the skill level to safely descend this section. I know that this river is worth protecting for future generations.

As someone who checks the flow of this river practically on a daily basis, I know how disastrous a 900-cubic-feet-per-second diversion on this small river would be. There is no possible negotiation or compromise over “flexible flow rates during certain times of the year” that could make up for the loss of the free-flowing nature of the North Fork. This project would effectively reduce runnable days on this river from more than 100 per year to fewer than ten.

I can sympathize with the argument that we should consider the feasibility of a project. Maybe some small hydro is worth the damage to the environment and recreation—but not on the North Fork of the Snoqualmie.

Please take whatever stand is necessary to kill this project as soon as possible. We will not give up this fight easily. This river is worth too much.

Ben Hawthorne

Seattle