279 



8 



that benefit fish. We urge the Council to follow up on these 

 alternatives and give more consideration to alternatives to 

 present power operations through power marketing. 



In addition, the Council could consider several actions 

 identified by NMFS during consultations on 1993 operations of the 

 Federal Columbia River Power System that could be taken by BPA, 

 the Bureau of Raclanation and the Corps of Engineers to improve 

 flows for salmon. These included: 



Increase flow augmentation from federal projects zibove 

 Brownlee by providing for the timely release and pass 

 through of uncontracted storage without going through water 

 banks. Where there are interspecies concerns, the timing of 

 flows can be coordinated to provide improved habitat in the 

 Snake River above Brownlee. 



Supplement direct use of uncontracted federal storage with 

 purchase and transfer of natural flow irrigation water 

 rights and leasing from irrigation water banks. 



Eliminate water banks' last-to-fill rule for water released 

 to non-agricultural practices. 



Show progress toward measures to decrease irrigation 

 depletions through improved efficiency and conservation. 



