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3 



and implemented early in 1994. 



I will now proceed with our response to the questions raised by 

 the Taelc Force. 



On the strengths of the Council's plan — Probably the most 

 important strength of the Council's plan is that it is the 

 product of a regional effort motivated by the commitment of the 

 Northwest Governors and the Northwest Congressional delegation. 

 It reflects the interests of the states and provides a strong 

 voice for the states in their dealings with federal programs in 

 the salmon recovery process. Because of the Council's regional 

 grounding, and because of the Council's broad public process, the 

 Strategy for Salmon enjoys a high degree of regional visibility 

 and acceptance. 



Since its creation by the 1980 Northwest Power Act, the Council 

 has achieved important gains for salmon. The Council played a 

 key role in obtaining appropriations for the Corps of Engineers 

 to install essential bypass improvements for most Columbia and 

 Snake River dams. Council influence was critical in securing a 

 water budget that provided flow augmentation for migrating salmon 

 through some of the most difficult drought years in the region. 

 Although NNFS believes the present water budget may not be 

 adequate to provide sufficient flows for fish needs, it was an 

 important first step in gaining additional water to improve 



