269 



STATEMENT OF J. GARY SMITH 



Mr. Smith. Thank you, Congressman DeFazio, Congressman 

 LaKocco. 



Mr. DeFazio. Before you begin, Mr. Smith, I am sure it is not 

 your fault, but you are one of the two agencies whose testimony I 

 have not had the opportunity to read because it was not provided 

 in a timely manner. 



Mr. Smith. I apologize, Congressman, I received my copy at five 

 o'clock last night myself. 



Mr. DeFazio. I understand you are representing higher powers, 

 but I will try and send a message to your higher powers. In fact, 

 I envision a system, if we can do what Mr. Webb says and get some 

 permanent extension of authority, or at least longer extension of 

 authority where in the future I son going to insist on testimony 

 being available. There are a lot of people who want to testify, and 

 what I will do is establish a waiting hst and anyone that does not 

 meet the deadline will get bumped, and we will put the person on 

 the waiting hst next first up. 



But anyway, go ahead, 



Mr. Smith. Again, I apologize. 



I am Gary Smith, Director of Regional Operations for the Na- 

 tional Marine Fisheries Service. I do appreciate the opportunity to 

 speak today on the Coimcil's planning process for recovery. 



The Northwest Power Planning Council's Strategy for Salmon is 

 an effective fi:amework to achieve recovery for salmon and 

 steelhead. NMFS' Snake River recovery team has worked closely 

 with the Coimcil in the preparation of our plans for listed salmon 

 in the Snake River and the broader context of the Council's respon- 

 sibility. We intend to have close coordination between National Ma- 

 rine Fisheries Service and the CouncU in the implementation of our 

 respective plans. 



The real strength of the Council's plan is it is a product of a re- 

 gional effort motivated by the commitment of the Governors and 

 the congressional delegation. It reflects the interest of States and 

 provides a strong voice for the States in their dealings with the 

 Federad Government in the recovery process. Because of the Coun- 

 cil's regional groimding and because of the Council's broad pubUc 

 process, the Strategy for Salmon enjoys a high degree of regional 

 visibility and acceptance. 



The Council has influenced the recovery of salmon in the basin, 

 particularly in the area of providing additional water budgets to 

 promote recovery of salmon. 



An important strength of the Council's program is its responsibil- 

 ity to cover all anadromous species and resident fish and wildhfe 

 in the Columbia basin, not just species Usted under the Endan- 

 gered Species Act. This broad responsibility provides a unique op- 

 portiuiity to implement an ecosystem approach which will achieve 

 a balance between protection and enhancement of all fish and wild- 

 life needs in the basin rather than single-species orientation under 

 the Endangered Species Act, Early implementation of all phases of 

 the Strategy for Salmon is critical to avoiding any further listings 

 of fish and wildlife under the Act. This is an important perspective 

 that we need to keep in view. We clearly feel that the Endangered 



