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We need the best scientific data available to understand the relationships between flow 

 and smolt survival Fisheries biologists acknowledge that flows for fish migration are 

 important and represent the fastest growing fish and wildlife cost to Bonneville 

 Decisions critical to smolt survival and river operations have been made based on 

 scientific studies that are dated or lacking in precision. To fill this important gap in 

 current research, Bonneville is in the first year of a multi-year research project with the 

 Fisheries Service that will look at smolt survival in relationship to a number of factors 

 such as water temperature, turbitity, as well as flows. We must do what is right for 

 fish and be guided in our decisions on river operations by the best science fisheries 

 biology can produce. 



As one of the managers responsible for the operations of the Columbia River 

 hydrosystem, I am fiirther challenged by my responsibilities to balance the 

 requirements associated with several policy areas The first is implementation of the 

 Council Program. The second is avoiding jeopardy to listed species consistent with 

 the Biological Opinion of listing agencies. Third is responding to the interests of the 

 multiple users of the Columbia River Basin including the State of Idaho's concerns 

 over draw down of the Snake River dams, and the State of Montana's concerns over 

 our use of reservoirs in Montana for downstream benefits. Finally is supporting 

 potentially conflicting recovery plans for different species. For example, the flow 

 requirements for the Kootenai River white sturgeon may differ fi-om those for Snake 

 River salmon These four areas emphasize the need to manage the Columbia River 

 Basin as an entire ecosystem, which recognizes the needs of the natural resources 

 within the established and authorized purposes leading to development of the 

 Columbia's dams— recreation, irrigation, navigation, flood control, and power 

 production. 



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