582 



Regardless of which agency manages the program, that agency 

 should be accountable for its finances and results. By its own 

 account, Bonneville's record as a project manager could be 

 improved; annual reports are not submitted regularly for projects 

 it manages, and results aren't always carefully evaluated. The 

 Task Force should consider establishing a procedure for periodic 

 audits of the results and finances of the program, with or 

 without a change in manager. 



Creating a new entity with or without authority to mandate salmon 

 measures. Salmon are already plagued with too many agencies and 

 overlapping jurisdictions. What is conspicuously absent from the 

 picture is a coordinating team or authority made up of the 

 entities with responsibility for salmon. Such an entity could be 

 charged with implementing the purposes of the Power Act by 

 enhancing coordination among uses, reducing duplicative 

 functions, and seeking ways to encourage more compatible use of 

 the Columbia Basin. This entity could also be responsible for 

 preparation of a detailed implementation plan for river operation 

 changes and drawdowns, to be approved by the Coucil. New 

 authorities would probably be required to make this entity more 

 effective than the Council at implementing the Salmon Strategy. 

 We would be happy to work with the Task Force to develop a more 

 detailed mandate for such an entity. 



Summary Recommendations 



Mr. Chairman, your Task ForceJfaces a daunting challenge. I urge 

 you to take strong action and consider a broad range of options 

 for putting implementation of the Power Act back on track. My, 

 main recommendations are to: 



1. Ensure continued full funding of the Council's Fish and 

 Wildlife Program, and consider establishing a special fund 

 to help the program through Bonneville's revenue swings; 



2. Appropriate funds (or otherwise ensure funding) to lower 

 John Day reservoir to minimum operating pool by 1995 and 

 conduct a prototype deep drawdown of Lower Granite reservoir 

 by 1995. 



3. Establish a river management coordination team, made up 

 of the major entities with fishery responsibilities, 

 mandated to ensure implementation of the Power Act, find 

 efficiencies that benefit salmon, and coordinate across 

 uses. 



4. Encourage improved water management by creating a level 

 playing field for salmon water transfers, endorsing a 

 pilot water leasing program, and encouraging stronger water 

 conservation programs by the Bureau of Reclamation. 



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