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The Department of Interior, particularly the Fish and Wildlife Service, is working with 

 Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments and the private sector to develop a multi- 

 agency "Pacific Salmon Restoration Initiative." It would provide for a coordinated, 

 watershed-based approach to restore ecosystems and habitats for salmon. This initiative and 

 the continued commitment of the Department of the Interior should help improve 

 coordination and accountability among the agencies implementing recovery efforts in the 

 Columbia River Basin. This effort will also build on renewed interest stimulated by the 

 recent Forest Conference to promote cooperation among agencies in the restoration of 

 watersheds. 



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

 review of annual operations : 



Fish and wildlife restoration can benefit greatly from an enlightened and involved public. 

 We strongly support additional public involvement in existing Federal processes and review 

 of our annual operations. In Region 1 , we currently engage in many diverse and innovative 

 activities to involve and educate the public in our work. 



We recently completed a Regional Outreach Strategy that outlines a comprehensive approach 

 to public outreach. One result has been a 30-minute video, produced in cooperation with the 

 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, that chronicles the life cycles of salmon and steelhead 

 and efforts by Federal, State, and Tribal agencies to restore fish populations in the lower 

 Snake River drainage of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. 



b) Changing the membership, structure, or authorities of the Council : 



The Administration believes it can make the current statutory authorities work. However, if 

 it proves inadequate, we will consider legislative changes. 



c) Incorporating salmon recovery measures into the Pacific Northwest Coordinating 

 Agreement: 



