15 



developing that information for inclusion in the proposed and final 

 plan. 



In conclusion, we encourage and continue to encourage as we 

 have for the last two and a half years all affected parties to con- 

 tinue to contribute to the identification and development of recov- 

 ery actions. 



In fact, I personally believe that the participation by affected 

 parties, whether they be from tribes, States, the conservation com- 

 munity, or industry, is the most essential ingredient for recovery 

 of salmon stocks. 



Madam Chairman, I thank you for the opportunity and I cer- 

 tainly look forward to addressing any questions that you and the 

 Committee may have. 



[Statement of Rollie Schmitten can be found at the end of the 

 hearing.] 



Ms. Unsoeld. Thank you to all the panel. Since we began my 

 colleague from Washington State, Maria Cantwell, has arrived, and 

 I wonder if you have an opening statement that you wanted to 

 enter at this point before we have questions. 



Ms. Cantwell. Thank you. Madam Chair, I will submit that to 

 the record in the interest of time. 



[Statement of Hon. Maria Cantwell follows:] 



Statement of Hon. Maria Cantwell, a U.S. Representative from Washington 



Mr. Chairman, I want to thank you for holding this hearing today on Columbia 

 River salmon recovery and for your interest in exploring issues affecting northwest 

 salmon resources. The hearing today will provide an excellent opportunity to review 

 past efforts on salmon recovery and to determine our future course of action. 



With the Endangered Species Act listings of the Snake River sockeye, Snake River 

 fall and spring/summer chinook, and a number of other salmon species being peti- 

 tioned for listing, the future of a resource that has defined the Pacific Northwest 

 for centuries is uncertain. Strong, science-based action must be undertaken to ad- 

 dress impacts on this vital resource and to restore it to self-sustaining levels. 



I am glad to have the chance today to discuss the final recommendations of the 

 Snake River Salmon Recovery Team, along with the recommendations from the 

 Northwest Power Planning Council's Strategy for Salmon and Northwest treaty 

 tribes. The National Marine Fishery Service (NMFS) will be reviewing the work of 

 the Recovery Team, and others to develop a final recovery plan by the end of the 

 year. We are at an important juncture. 



Mr. Chairman, 3 years have passed since the Snake River sockeye were first list- 

 ed under the ESA, and 2 years since the chinook Ustings. Now is the time to exam- 

 ine carefully how we are responding to a resource in crisis. I hope today to look not 

 only at the contents of the various recovery recommendations, but also at the proc- 

 ess of how recovery plans are developed. 



I look forward to hearing testimony from today's witnesses. There is significant 

 expertise and experience in this room, and I believe we will gain some much needed 

 insight on the salmon recovery process from these witnesses. Once again, Mr. Chair- 

 man, thank you for your work on behalf of this important Northwest issue. 



Ms. Unsoeld. Thank you very much. I note that you suggested 

 that you will publish in the Federal Register the draft recovery 

 plan this fall, Rollie. One of the difficulties that I believe we have 

 had with the forest plan is that we had expectations things were 

 going to move faster than they actually did. 



What are the jaws of reasonable expectation for having a recov- 

 ery plan in place? 



Mr. Schmitten. We have stated for the last six months that our 

 goal, and I will state that it is simply a goal, is to have a recovery 



