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What can be done to facilitate water conservation and other changes i n regional water 

 management to provide increased flows for power production and salmon recovery? 



In general, the Alliance membership will support pragmatic regional efforts to 

 encourage water conservation. But the foundation for meaningful water conservation 

 measures must rest on thorough technical and economic analyses. 



For water conservation activities, a "one size fits all" philosophy is incorrect. 

 Conservation actions must be tailored to the needs of individual subbasins within the Columbia- 

 Snake river drainage area. Basin geography and hydrology will dictate the available water 

 "savings" or "shifting" where storage capability exists. Consequently, the value of water saving 

 practices needs to be evaluated on a Basin-by-Basin approach. 



Most irrigators will adopt new water saving technologies during normal technology change 

 cycles or if the payback period merits immediate capital improvements. As such, the adoption 

 of water conservation measures depends on an economically healthy irrigated agriculture or the 

 financial incentives available to irrigators. 



We also would note that water efficiency programs that are deigned and implemented 

 under local water districts or utilities will greatiy faciliute measure application. Local control 

 and acceptance is a key factor for implementation. 



Are existing institutions and institutional arrangements at the state and federal level adequate to 

 implement salmon recovery plans? What improvements should be made to ens ure better regional 

 coordination among the many federal, sute. tribal and private entities that m ust work together 

 to achieve salmon restoration? In particular, the following alternativ es have been suggested for 

 better implementing salmon restoration plans. Please comm ent on each: 



a) Providing additional public involvement in existing federal processes, including review 

 of annual operations. 



Throughout the salmon recovery planning process, the Council, the Army Corps of 

 Engineers, Bonneville, and other federal and state agencies and officials have held numerous 

 public information meetings and hearings, all available to the general public and special interest 

 groups. In addition, these agencies and officials have made numerous requests for written public 

 comments, and held numerous workshops to receive special technical information developed by 

 agencies, industry, and special interest groups. 



It is difficult to perceive how any specific interest group or member of the general public 

 could suggest that ample opportunities to express comments or recommendations have not 

 occurred. If anything, the agencies involved should be praised for having provided a high level 

 of public access to the planning process. 



