85 



populatkns, by temporarily imsking tfaeir loss. As even the most successful hatchery populalioas suffer the inevitable 

 collapse from disease, genetic depledoo, or technological failure, natunU populations remain the only sufTicient seed 

 source to restore artificial pioductioa. 



After a century of exper im entation, there is Uttle scientific support for the notion that salmon hatcheries are sustainable 

 over die long term in the absence of wild, natural populations, or that hatchery teclmology can work to supplement or 

 restore remnant wild populatioas without seriously harming them. Each wild population of safanoo and trout is uniquely 

 and subtly «/<«p»»yl to its envuoniDent, in ways that are not fully understood by scientists. These adaptations can be 

 qtiickly lost in the hatchery environment or in the presence of large numbers of stray fish of hatchery origin. Therefore 

 the viabiUty of the species remains dependent on the conservation of the diversity of its wild populations and Ifaev 

 habitats. Beyond this, wild populations adapted to marginal or disturbed habitats could in the future be die only source 

 of suitable colonists for re-establishment of populations m an enviromnent where, despite efforts toward restoration, 

 human impacts will remain pervasrve. 



RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A COMPREHENSIVE WATERSHED RESTORATION PROGRAM 



To protect and restore the Northwest's riverine systems, fisheries and biodiversity, we recommend a new approach 

 founded on principles of watershed dynamics, ecosystem function, and conservatioa biology — a community and 

 ecosystem-based strategy that mainhitiiK and restores riverine processes and biodiversity at the watershed level. The new 

 approach mtegiates ecologically and ecocomically sustainable restoration strategies in a scientifically defensible and 

 conservative way, emf^usizing principles of the physical and ecological functions of watersheds and key spatial and 

 temporal aspects of aquatic ecology. Simple in concept and pragmatic in applicatioD, this new approach provides a 

 means for prioritizing protection and restoration policies and interventions and for creating more-rapid and cost-effective 

 biotic recoveiy. This program would involve three interconnected components: 



1 ) The program begins with a con^irdiensrve effort designed to identify and protect the remaining relatively healthy 

 headwaters, key biotic refuges, boichmaik watersheds, riparian areas, floodplains, and the network of biological hot 

 spots found in patches throughout entire river systems on federal lands. This cost-efficient approach places die emphasis 

 on preventing further degradation rather dian on attempting to control problems after they occur. 



2) Following the protection of these areas, watershed level restoration programs should be developed. Restoratioa 

 treatments should focus initially on 'securing' or 'storm proofing' the relatively healthy areas on federal lands stated 

 above. After these areas have been secured, restoratioa would focus on providing better managemeot between the 

 protected areas and eventually linking and expanding the healthy areas. Private lands would be brought into the p t og ra m 

 lo develop river system wide restoration strategies. 



3) Finally die piogi a u i calls for the active participation of local communities and citizens in implementing the 

 restoration program. Without support from local communities and citizens, any policy will fail. To help generate 

 support, local jobs in restoration technologies including the 'storm proofing* of the key watersheds, and community 

 revitalizatioa projects must be created. These projects are needed to restore riverine systems, and they offer die benefit 

 <rf providing jobs and economic benefits. Floodplain open space preservation and such economic conversioiis ms new 

 crops diat are less water- and energy-intensive, and the protection of undeveloped floodplains must also be encouraged. 

 Incentives and technical assistance must be provided to encourage local involvement in taking these steps and in 

 dfwgning and anpleme&ting watershed level restoration action plans. 



Necessary Federal Steps: 



To i mp l rmrnt the new restoration approach, a coordinatod stnl^ic watenfaed restoration initiative is required. We 

 lecoaunend that dte federal govemmeat ertaMisfa the following: 



* A coordinated ttnttgic watrrdwd protection and l eat o rali u B initiaiive in the Notlbwcrt. The pi ugia ai mntf be 

 a top-level nalioaai pnorily. 



* A Migle <k|MiiBiLut wilh dear pobcymaking a u lli uiity to co o nl i n t n aad ■t*""*"" the watenfaed proteclion 

 and f CJ t o t a t iu u program. Federal land maaagement agcacie* can aligB dieir own policies. We iB co m B ieHd thai 



