200 



2^.4 Endangered Spedes Act Recovery Planning and Consultation 



The Endangered Species Act of 1973 as amended requires tixat actions of Federal 

 agencies not jeopardize the existence of du-eatened or endangered species or destroy or 

 adversely impact officials habitats of these spedes. Several spedes of Salmon in the 

 Columbia River system are threatened or endimgered. Because of this, the relevant 

 habitat protection agency - the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) — is now 

 responsible for a recovery plan, developed in consultation with the dam's operators, to 

 protect the existing population of the spedes and bring about recovery, if possible. 



These plans could have a considerable impact upon the operations of the Federal dams. 

 In fact, the SOR lead agendes intend that the SOR will provide an analysis and 

 evaluation of the impacts of any operational aspects of the Recovery Plans for Chinook 

 and Snake River sockeye if those operational aspects are known prior to printing and 

 distribution of the DEIS. In the future, the Fonmi might consider those aspects of any 

 recovery plan(s) for listed or proposed spedes which affect or are affected by Colimibia 

 River operations. 



Since the Endangered Spedes Ad does not provide for Section 7 consultation with other 

 than Federal agendes, the SOR lead agendes would most likely consult on system 

 operational features with the National Marine Fisheries Service and/or the Fish and 

 Wildlife Service on behalf of the Forum partidpants. Forum partidpants may provide 

 review of any necessary biological assessments and biological opinions. 



Final Draft - September 15, 1993 31 



