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The action we took to limit the rate of growth in this program over the FY 1994 - FY 1995 

 rate period, as well as in the other Bonneville programs, was necessary to limit the rate increase 

 for our customers. Some argue that the rate increase should have been higher. I do not agree. 

 I believe Bonneville's competitive position and impact on the economic health of the region 

 dictated strong action. The relatively small reduction of $15 million in the FY 1994 fish and 

 wildlife program budget, compared to the $300 million annual fish and wildlife investments will 

 not impair any essential effort to rebuild fish and wildlife populations affected by the 

 hydroelectric system. It is our hope, however, the recognition of the need to maintain 

 Bonneville's competitiveness will encourage efficiency and the establishment of priorities for all 

 of our programs, including fish and wildlife. 



Northwest Power Planning Council's Strategy 



Mr. Chairman, in your invitation you asked that we offer comments on the Council's 

 Program. 



The Council, representing the Northwest Governors, has crafted a comprehensive, 

 regional Fish and Wildlife Program. I will again reiterate that Bonneville is committed to 

 full implementation of the Council's Fish and Wildlife Program. However, in response to 

 recent extreme financial stress, we must carefully schedule and sequence measures 

 described in the Council's Program, and balance their pace of implementation with 

 Bonneville's other responsibilities. In making those decisions, we have called on the 

 Council and others to help.us assure that no vital, time-urgent measure is delayed. 



The Council is in the process of incorporating the Strategy for Salmon and Phase IV 

 revisions to the resident fish and wildlife sections of the Program, into the amended 1993 

 Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Program. In our comments on the Strategy for Salmon 



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