181 



How much of the current financial crisis has been brought on by problems with 

 Bonneville's contractors'' It is my understanding that some of these contractors 

 view the money they receive from Bonneville as an entitlement, and that they are 

 not very responsive when asked to account for the money they have spent It may 

 be that some of Bonneville's Fish and Wildlife and/or Conservation money coutd be 

 more efficiently spent either by diffijrent contractors or by changes in the present 

 .contractors' methods. What are your thoughts on this issue? 



Problems associated with BPA's contractors are not a substantial factor in the 

 current financial situation While some contractors perform better than others, or 

 are more responsive than others to perceived shortcomings, our overall experience 

 with contractors has been quite positive With respect to the role of contractors in 

 BPA's Fish and Wildlife Program, as well as the Conservation Program, this issue 

 will be closely examined during the "Function.-by-Function" reviews currently 

 being conducted by BPA and its customers 



Question 4: What are your thoughts of the viability of the following options to help limit the 

 additional rate increase request while retaining Bonneville's ability to meet 

 obligations to the Federal government and others? 



One-time drought surcharge on BPA customers; 



review of the irrigation assistance program, 



allowing a total rate increase of more than 20 % (in other words, can we 



prevent deep cuts in the Fish and Wildlife and Conservation programs if we 



allow a rate increase of 20.5 or 21%); 



turning more conservation responsibilities over to BPA's customers, or 



cutting acquisition and development programs in favor of conservation for 



a few years. 



