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fish. Explicit definitions and realistic assessment criteria for these terms 

 are of paramount importance. When definitions and assessment criteria 

 are missing from an agency's hatchery-related policy or guidelines, the 

 intent of the document is ambiguous and the potential for having 

 inadvertent errors in biological concepts or management actions is 

 increased. Clearly stated definitions and assessment criteria serve several 

 purposes: 



1. They ensure that the intended meaning and implementation of 

 hatchery policies and guidelines are consistent with the agency's 

 desired management goals. 



2. They clarify the purpose of and rationale for hatchery policies and 



guidelines, thus greatly reducing confusion and criticism from agency 

 personnel, user groups, or other parties interested in salmon or 

 steelhead resources. 



3. They facilitate evaluation of the biological appropriateness of hatchery- 



related policies and guidelines. 



4. They help to identify the types of data needed for monitoring 



effectiveness in achieving objectives stated in hatchery-related policies 

 and guidelines. 



5. They facilitate efforts to improve consistency in genetic goals among 



agencies involved in salmon or steelhead hatchery production in the 

 Columbia River Basin. 



1.1 Genetic Definitions in Agency Documents 



Genetic definitions are uncommon in the documents reviewed. ODFW-1 

 and WDF-1 contain some genetic definitions. They both lack criteria for 

 assessing genetic resources of hatchery or wild and natural stocks, 

 although WDF-1 presents some of the conceptual background. ODFW-1 

 contains a general definition for "genetic resources". The definition is 

 broad enough that it can be interpreted to encompass all genetic resources 

 recommended for definition (see section 1.2.1 below). More detailed 

 definitions would clarify the intent and interpretation of this document. 

 WDF-1 contains a glossary of some genetic terms. Important gene 

 resources discussed in section 1.2.1 are explained in the body of the 

 document, although the glossary doesn't contain concise definitions for all 

 of them. 



