important aspect of the life cycle of the salmon. The plan recog- 

 nizes that ttie critical issue we face is the survival of juvenile salm- 

 on and steelhead, as they attempt to migrate through the system 

 of federal mainstem dams and slack water reservoirs to the ocean. 

 We must improve that juvenile survival. 



All other investments to protect habitat, improve management of 

 hatcheries and impose further restrictions on harvests will be wast- 

 ed if the mainstem survival issue is not successfully addressed. The 

 saJmon cannot withstand present man-caused mortahty rates. This 

 legendary species will continue their slide to extinction. 



The chief weakness of the Strategy is the protracted period agen- 

 cies claim is required to implement long-term measures to improve 

 the migration habitat for the salmon. The region needs to take im- 

 mediate steps in order to reduce the lead time for implementing 

 drawdowns and other long-term measures. We believe modification 

 of Lower Granite Dam to permit a one-pool drawdown is a critical 

 first step toward a longer-term drawdown program. It is essential 

 that we take immediate steps to reverse the radical transformation 

 of the migration corridor fi-oji the river to a chain of slackwater 

 lakes. 



The Power Council's strategy endorses demonstration of a 

 drawdown strategy to restore the migration habitat. The drawdown 

 approach is not without its impact on river users or costs to modify 

 the fish passage facilities at the dams. The Council also recognizes 

 that impacts on river users must be accounted for and com- 

 pensated. 



Status quo opposition to the drawdown approach often cites the 

 unproven nature of modifying these federal projects and operating 

 them differently. Considering the success of barging salmon, and 

 the species* present status, Idaho suggests that the drawdown ap- 

 proach compares rather favorably to the disproven management of 

 present day. The region needs congressional oversight to spur ac- 

 tion before it's too late for the salmon. Idaho seeks timely imple- 

 mentation of the Power Council's Strategy for Salmon. We also re- 

 quest this committee to consider continuing oversight of federal 

 agencies in order to make sure that progress is actually being 

 made. Without prodding like this, there will be no timely comple- 

 tion of actions in the Strategy for Salmon, and the federal agencies 

 wiU push the accelerator on the actions they like and apply the 

 brakes on the measures they do not care for. 



Mr. Chairman, for the thousands of Idahoans who were unable 

 to testify before this committee today, Idaho Rivers United and the 

 Mid-Snake Group of the Sierra Club would like to present a mes- 

 sage to the Congress. 



We have a banner with a number of signatures that will be dis- 

 played for the Congressmen. Thank you very much. 



