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plan for meeting the future power needs. Historically, hydropower has been the 

 cheapest form of power, so utilities are reluctant to acquire other sources of power to 

 replace hydropower uiUess they know for certain that the hydropower resources will 

 not be available in the future. 



The power generators also share a problem with other river users — the dedsiorunaking 

 process has become so complex that participating in all the various aspects of the 

 decisionmaking process can be very time-consuming and expensive. All the groups see 

 themselves as benefiting from a streamlined system - although not if that streamlined 

 system results in decisions that negatively affect their interest 



This last comment suggests that the ultimate issue is how the benefits of the river are 

 allocated. As the pressures on the river system continue to grow, this struggle for control 

 of these valuable resources will become even more intense. Without an effective forum 

 that is accepted as legitimate by all the parties as the place where these competing needs 

 can be addressed and resolved, decisionmaking is likely to become even more complex 

 and adversarial. The costs of participating in decisions will continue to increase. There 

 will be continued unpredictability. The continuing conflict may result in fewer benefits 

 from the Columbia River system for the region. 



1.4 PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES 



1.4.1 Purpose 



The fundamental purpose of the Forum is to have a credible and legitimate mechanism 

 for making future decisions about the System Operating Strategy and interpretations of 

 that strategy. A successful Forum would provide: 



Final Draft - September 15, 1993 11 



