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MORTHWBBT POWER PIAMMIMG MTO COKSET tVATIOM CODHCIL 



The Northwest Power Planning and Conservation Council (the Council) 

 should be doing what BPA is in its competitiveness program. The 

 Council needs to re-examine the need for its existence, its 

 effectiveness and its continued role in the Pacific Northwest. 



It has been suggested that perhaps the Council should have some 

 statutory authority over BPA so that better regional decisions can 

 be made. If this occurred, strong, responsible leadership and 

 direction from the Council would be required. In recent years, the 

 region has depended on the Council for strong, responsible 

 leadership in the development of fish and wildlife programs among 

 others. In many cases. Council decisions and resulting programs 

 leave doxibt as to their effectiveness or benefit to the region and 

 those affected. The consensus building that the Council is charged 

 with can never be achieved until traditional, cost-effective 

 methods become an integral part of decision making in the fish and 

 wildlife and resource/conservation programs. Consensus is built 

 when there is confidence that Council decisions are made after a 

 free, thorough discussion of all aspects of the issue and are based 

 on good science, sound economics and agreed upon societal needs. 

 The Council receives substantial press coverage, making it 

 virtually impossible for the general public to sort out personal 

 opinion from official Council positions in interview situations. 

 As a consequence. Council members should take care not to use their 

 position on the council as a "bully pulpit" espousing their 

 personal views and beliefs. 



The basic problem we in the Northwest have is the lack of 

 commitment to work out solutions to reach consensus. We all run to 

 our elected representatives at the least provocation; or, if that 

 is unpromising, to the court as our arbitrator. My request is that 

 this committee help de-politicize BPA and the Council. We must 

 continue to have an open process in which any who wish to 

 participate can. Once the discussions have taken place, decisions 

 have to be made based on the best information. Help the region 

 make these decisions based on good public policy — not politics as 

 usual. Thank you. 



Respectfully yours, 



General Manager 



