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STATEMENT OF MARVIN L. PLENERT, REGIONAL DIRECTOR, 



U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, PORTLAND, OREGON, 



BEFORE THE BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION TASK FORCE 



OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES IN BOISE, IDAHO 



September 24, 1993 



Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to appear before the Task Force today to 

 address the recovery and rebuilding of salmon stocks in the Columbia River Basin. We 

 appreciate the Committee's efforts to examine measures to protect, mitigate, and enhance 

 salmon populations, along with the adequacy of the institutional arrangements for 

 implementation of those measures. 



The recovery of salmon and steelhead stocks in the Columbia River Basin is one of the most 

 complex and challenging fish and wildlife resource issues facing the Nation. Dam 

 construction, modifications to the river basin's hydrology, loss of fish and wildlife habitat, 

 overharvest, and other human-induced impacts have all contributed and brought the 

 ecosystem to the point where several fish and wildlife populations, including salmon, are at 

 risk of extinction. The work of the Task Force will be helpful in focusing national attention 

 on this issue and in accelerating recovery and rebuilding efforts. Substantive and timely 

 actions are required. 



We offer the following responses to your written questions and hope they will be helpful in 

 your deliberations. 



1) Is the NPPC's Strategy for Salmon an appropriate and sufficient framework for 

 salmon recovery efforts in the Columbia Basin? What are the strengths and 

 weaknesses of the Strategy for Salmon? 



An effective recovery and rebuilding program for salmon in the Columbia River Basin 

 requires cooperation among a large number of agencies and the many users of the river 

 system. We commend the Northwest Power Planning Council (Council) for its efforts to 

 coordinate the recovery and rebuilding efforts for salmon through its Fish and Wildlife 



