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and other wild stocks. We have requested that NMFS conduct a cooperative effort to 

 develop clear implementation guidelines to hatchery operations relative to ESA recovery 

 programs for listed stocks of Pacific salmon. The tribes should also participate in that 

 process. 



b) At the request of the Tribes we developed a cooperative strategy with State and Tribal 

 cooperators on hatchery supplementation. 



This has been formally recognized by inclusion as "Chapter C" of the Integrated System Plan 

 provided to the NPPC in 1992. Several supplementation projects are already under way in 

 the Snake River basin, northeastern Oregon, and the mid-Columbia river tributaries in 

 Washington state. Others are in various stages of planning and development as guided by the 

 criteria in Chapter C. 



The reason some of these projects have slowed down is not due to NMFS' position on the 

 role of artificial production, rather it is the basin-wide concern over ensuring that hatcheries 

 have minimal environmental impacts on native and wild stocks. That is, hatcheries should 

 not add to the problems of stocks listed under the Endangered Species Act or of any wild 

 stocks. Chapter C requires careful analysis of risks and benefits and environmental 

 assessments that do take time to complete before final decisions are made. In Chapter C, we 

 have an agreed-to strategy with the Tribes for making these decisions and are proceeding 

 with this strategy. 



c) The Service and Bonneville are funding a Comprehensive Environmental Assessment 

 of the hatchery operations in the basin that should clarify proper operational 

 procedures and roles of hatcheries. 



In the end the Comprehensive Environmental Assessment should facilitate development of 

 future hatchery programs that will increase production potentials while fitting into wild stock 

 and endangered species listed stock protection goals. In addition, proposed Tribal hatchery 

 projects nearing the implementation stage, such as the Yakima/Klickitat enhancement 

 program, are advancing under normal NEPA processes. Section 7 consultation with NMFS 



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