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estuarine tidal marshes. Only at spatial and temporal scales of these magnitudes do the 

 watershed hydrologic patterns, natural disturbances, and riparian forests become 

 meaningful in the discussion of the restoration and management of naturally spawning 

 fish populations. To accomplish watershed restoration a major shift in philosophy, 

 assumptions, and strategies toward fish habitat restoration and management is necessary 

 (Frissell 1992). The restoration of streams and riparian zones throughout a watershed 

 is a formidable task requiring an unprecedented level of cooperation and willingness to 

 alter current land use practices (Gregory et al. 1991, Sedell and Beschta 1991, Bisson 

 etal. 1992). 



At present, there are no watershed-level restoration models applicable to the Pacific 

 Northwest. However, river and watershed restoration approaches are beginning to 

 emerge that focus upon reestablishing the key components of an ecologically healthy 

 watershed (Sedell et al. 1990, Sedell and Beschta 1991, Frissell 1992). 



We have many of the technologies necessary to restore forested watersheds in the 

 Pacific Northwest (e.g., horticultural, silvicultural, engineering, geologic, and hydrologic 

 techniques). What we lack is the breadth of vision and cooperation necessary to apply 

 these technologies appropriately in a context of watershed restoration and management. 

 An ecosystems approach to watershed restoration and management will incorporate 

 fundamental watershed physical processes and the natural biologic diversity of the 

 landscape. For example, studies of the recovery of aquatic systems from natural 

 disturbances have revealed the occurence of refugia, undisturbed habitats that function 

 as a source of colonists to adjacent disturbed areas (Sedell et al. 1990, Frissell 1992). 

 The ecologic properties of refugia throughout watersheds will be critical in the restoration 

 of degrated rivers and streams. 



None the less, we lack restoration projects that are based upon the restoration of 

 watershed ecosystem processes. Restoration at this scale is our only real hope for 

 sustaining harvestable naturally-spawning fish populations. To accomplish this will take 

 unprecedented cooperatton between public agencies, regional universities, Indian Tribes, 

 and private industry. 



We propose the development of a Pacific Northwest Regional Initiative for Watershed 

 Studies, Restoration, and Management. The goal of the initiative would be the 

 development of solutions to our region's watershed problems. The scope of the issue is 

 beyond the ability of a single state government or federal agency to solve. We suggest 

 an initiative open to all federal and state agencies, regional universities, Indian Tribes, 

 and private industry. Staff would include policy makers, economists, social scientists, and 

 natural and physical scientists from across local, state, and federal agencies, regional 

 universities, Indian Tribes, and private industry. The task would be to develop solutions 

 to regional as well as watershed level problems. Components of such an initiative would 

 include: 



1 . Basic research into watershed science. 



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