H.R. 2073

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To prohibit the use of Federal funds to allow or study the breach or alteration of the Lower Snake River dams, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · March 11, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Newhouse

Table of contents

• H.R. 2073
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Lower Snake River dams

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the Defending our Dams Act.

SEC. 2. Lower Snake River dams

• (a) Prohibition on use of Federal funds
  • No Federal funds may be used to allow, lead to, or study the breach or functional alteration of, including study of power, flood control, or navigation replacement of, or provide dam removal technical assistance for, the Lower Snake River dams.
• (b) Prohibition on spillage operations
  • (1) In general
    • The Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, may not carry out any spillage operations on any of the Lower Snake River dams unless such operations are approved by the Secretary and the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration.
  • (2) Considerations
    • In determining whether to approve spillage operations under paragraph (1), the Secretary and the Administrator shall consider all Columbia River System operations.
• (c) Definition
  • In this section, the term means the following dams in the State of Washington, authorized by section 2 of the Act of March 2, 1945 (chapter 19, 59 Stat. 21): Lower Snake River dams
    • Ice Harbor Dam.
    • Lower Monumental Dam.
    • Little Goose Dam.
    • Lower Granite Dam.