283 



12 

 consider more open participation in the ESA section 7 

 consultation process by soliciting input from interested parties 

 prior to submission of their proposed action and biological 

 assessment to NMFS. NMFS, for its part, has committed to 

 coordinating with regional interests in the process of developing 

 its biological opinion in response to the operating agencies' 

 biological assessment. 



With respect to Council membership, several observers have noted 

 that the lack of tribal representation on the Council is a ,^ 

 shortcoming. NMFS suppozrts the inclusion of tribal 

 representation on the Council. 



As for qualifications of Council representatives, NMFS believes 

 it is crucial for the Governors to appoint individuals who are 

 knowledgeable in the area of natural resources. 



Consideration for adopting a new agreement or creating a new 

 regional entity among B9A, the Corps of Engineers, and the Bureau 

 of Reclamation, the Council and others to administer annual river 

 operations are within the range of alternatives in the System 

 Operation Review. NMFS would encourage consideration of a Basin- 

 wide coordinated process that would provide an open process and 

 would provide considerations for all water entities and fish and 

 wildlife in the Basin, not just those listed species under the 



ESA. 



