77 



There is also economic benefits to making a transition to 

 sustainable land and water management. Soil resources are the basis 

 of all silvicultural productivity. By acting to prevent tremendous 

 soil losses, we will maintain the future productivity of our 

 forests. If we move to help farmers and ranchers invest in 

 increased efficiency of water use, they can meet their water needs 

 while allowing more water for fish and other public benefits. With 

 the specter of continuing drought cycles, it is prudent that we 

 make this investment regardless. Healthy riparian zones can reduce 

 the risk loss of valuable agricultural land during future floods as 

 well as playing an integral part in fisheries restoration. 



We are now faced with the very real prospect of widespread 

 extinction of Pacific salmon stocks. As a nation, we are all 

 concerned about our current budget deficit and what portion of that 

 debt we will leave to our children. If we fail to act decisively to 

 save Pacific salmon, what will be the economic and cultural deficit 

 that we leave to future generations? Continuing our haphazard 

 approach will most certainly lead to the demise of these fish. The 

 public recognizes the value of Pacific salmon and healthy river 

 systems and will support sound solutions. The time for leadership 

 has arrived. 



Higqi^s, Chairman 

 Environment^ Concerns Committee 



References 



Higgins, P.T. 1991. The Habitat Types of the Eel River Estuary 

 and Their Associated Fishes and Invertebrates. Performed 

 under contract for Oscar Larson and Assoc. Eureka, Calif. 



Higgins, P.T. and W.M. Kier. 1992. Using the Long Range Plan for 

 the Klamath River Basin Fisheries Conservation Area as a tool 

 for preserving biodiversity. In R. Harris (ed.): Proceedings 

 of Conference on Preserving Biodiversity in the Klamath 

 Bioregion. Univ. of Calif. Press. Berkeley, Calif. 



Higgins, P.T., D. Fuller and S. Dobush. 1992. Factors Threatening 

 Stocks With Extinction in Northwestern California. Humboldt 

 Chapter of the Amer. Fisheries Soc. Areata, Calif. 



U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1991. Long Range Plan for the 

 Klamath River Basin Fisheries Conservation Area. USFWS 

 Klamath Field Office, Yreka, Calif. 



