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Columbia Basin. Consideration of an alternative that addresses 

 the ecosystem needs of all species and the needs of river users, 

 provides a unique opportunity to implement a comprehensive and 

 coordinated water management regime for the region. 



You also asked us to address a number of specific proposals for 

 better implementation of salmon recovery plans. 



One option is to provide additional public involvement in 

 existing federal processes, including review of annual operating., 

 plans. As already mentioned, the Council has a very open public 

 process. NMFS has maintained an open process in the listing and 

 in recovery planning. Under existing requirements, the section 7 

 consultation process is held between the Federal action agencies, 

 plus any non- federal permit applicants there may be It is not 

 open to concurrent public review. KMFS does, however, encourage 

 and consider any information volunteered by the public in its 

 decision process. States and tribes are directly involved in 

 hatchery operations and harvest, which provides them an 

 opportunity to participate in the consultation process. 



The hydrosystem consultation has not bean open because it 

 involves only Federal agencies. Corps of Engineers, Bureau of 

 Reclamation, and BPA also provide opportunity for public comment 

 in a number of ways primarily associated with their NEPA process. 

 NMFS has encouraged BPA, the Corps and Bureau of Reclamation to 



