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Many hatchary Issues can be resolved through careful selection of 

 release sites and terminal fishing areas. In an effort to meet 

 tribal concerns about improved production above Bonneville Dam, 

 NMFS reviewed the tribal proposal for supplementation and 

 identified Yakima and Klichitat pilot projects that could proceed 

 without being likely to adversely impact listed species. NMFS is 

 simply unable to approve those projects that may have an adverse 

 impact on listed species until we know more about those potential 

 impacts . 



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In sufflonary, the Strategy for Salmon is an effective restoration 

 plan for the broad range of depressed salmon and steelhead stocks 

 in the Columbia Basin. It has a broader mandate than the NMFS 

 recovary plan for Snake River salmon listed under the ESA. As a 

 result of close coordination between the Council and NMFS, we 

 fully expect there to be important similarities in both plans. 

 NMFS also believes effective implementation of the Council's 

 program may require improvements in coordination among the 

 various Federal, State, tribal and private interests and may 

 require an improved budget process to ensure adequate funding for 

 all phases of the program. NMFS also believes there are 

 significant opportunities for the Council to work with Federal 

 and non-federal hydropower entities to achieve improvements in 

 regional water conservation and management throughout the 

 Colviabia River Basin. 



