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develop and implement, from the bottom-up. Watershed Restoration Action Plans. The federal govemmenl would 

 provide grants, fundmg and tcchnica] assistance to these programs. The NWR would focus stimulatmg appropriate 

 ecoDonuc benefits to local communities m three ways: local jobs and restoration technologies, appropriate community 

 revitalizatioa projects, and economic conversioas such as agricultuml changes to less water and ener^ mtensive crops. 



A complete description of diese proposals is found in our recently released report to Congress: Entering t he Watershed: 

 An Action Plan To Rest ore America' s River Ecosvsteais and Biodiversity. 



THE IMPERATIVE OF CHANGE 



Although we evahialed numerous federal and state riverine poUcies and programs in preparation for ttiis testimony, we 

 have not spent a great deal of time recommending improvements for each. We beheve that improving existing poUcies, 

 aMKMigfa important to do, will still not provide die strategies, policies and incentives needed to initiate an era of 

 comprehensive nverine restorahcm nati<nwide. No existmg pohcies appear to be based on contemporary scientific 

 assumptions or knowledge, or effective implementation strategies and mechanisms. Until new poUcies are enacted, most 

 efforts in improvmg, properly applying, or enforcing existing policies will remain primarily 'rear guard' actions. That 

 is, they may (but Ukely wiO not) main lain the existing levels of health for some nverine systems for a short time. 

 However, they are certain to fail to maintain riverine health in the long run or lead to comprehensive recovery. New 

 federal restoration goals, strategies, and policies are needed. 



We hope to see the region and nation turned toward new strategies and poUcies that will protect and restore rivenne 

 systems, fisheries and biodiversity. New approaches are certainly needed. Riverine systems are the life-support system 

 of our nation. These systems offer important sources of food, timber, fiber, water, and many other products that provide 

 both jobs and sustenance. Frcsn the remaining healthy riverine systems will come vital goietic resources to recolooize the 

 environment for future generaticras. And it is the natural beauty and recreational o(^x>rtiinities of our region's and 

 nation's rivers that uphfi the human ^hriL 



It is in our self-interest to protect and restore the Northwest's and America's riverine systems and biodiversity. It is 

 also our moral responsibiUQr. 



It 



