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and administration. They also create a common objective for all parties, to 

 cost effectively protect fish and wildlife. Issues related to institutional 

 arrangements have also been virtually eliminated 



Answer 6f Legislatively creating a new entity or designating an existing agency with 

 authority to mandate salmon recovery actions 



Creating a new entity or designating an existing agency with decision 

 making authority are possibilities being considered in the SOR under the 

 Forum While this could improve regional decision making and we do not 

 wish to prejudge this alternative, there are some concerns that would affect 

 the quality of salmon recovery efforts and regional coordination. 

 Placement of authority to mandate salmon recovery actions upon a single 

 agency could inhibit achievement of other desired goals, such as the 

 protection of species other than salmon. 



Federal and non-Federal entities already have a common responsibility to 

 avoid jeopardy to and promote the recovery of listed anadromous and 

 other species. In determining whether jeopardy is avoided, the Fisheries 

 Service studies the combined effects of all actions affecting listed 

 anadromous species. Federal and non-Federal entities also have 

 responsibility to avoid actions with adverse impact upon listed species 

 unless they act in accordance with terms and conditions of incidental take 

 statements or permits issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service that 

 allow otherwise unlawful "take" of listed species. 



The underlying cause of controversy about salmon recovery efforts is the 

 tremendous uncertainty about measures needed to improve conditions for 



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