34 



Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Serv- 

 ice. 



We should be using that tool more readily. The only caution is 

 that we should be careful not to exacerbate the condition of a listed 

 species. Let us first make sure they are ESA-free areas, and then 

 we should go in and support each other in getting them started. 

 Thank you. 



Mr. Bevan. Just a comment, Madam Chairman, on your question 

 about the ecosystem approach. Is this recovery plan by itself an 

 ecosystem approach? Probably only for the ecosystem of the Snake 

 River-listed species but we see it as a template to provide for the 

 rest of the basin and what we have provided here as required by 

 law under the Endangered Species Act we think can be applied to 

 other stocks in other parts of the Columbia basin. 



Ms. Unsoeld. I would only suggest that the ecosystem probably 

 extends to Alaska. Any last comment? 



Mr. Bevan. And certainly to Canada. 



Ms. Unsoeld. Certainly. I thank the panel very much. There are 

 some additional questions that will be submitted to you in writing 

 and if you get any burning comments that you want to make to us, 

 we are eager. Thank you very much. And if the second panel would 

 come forward. 



Ms. Cantwell. If the people would take their seats we are going 

 to start with the second panel and I appreciate all of you being 

 here today for the continued discussion on the Subcommittee on 

 Environment and Natural Resources Hearing on Proposed Recov- 

 ery Plan for Endangered Salmon in the Columbia River. 



And we will start with Mr. Bruce Lovelin, executive director for 

 the Columbia River Alliance. 



STATEMENT OF BRUCE LOVELIN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, 

 COLUMBIA RIVER ALLIANCE 



Mr. Lovelin. Madam Chair, members of the House Committee 

 of Merchant Marine and Fisheries, thank you for the opportunity 

 to testify. My name is Bruce Lovelin and I am the executive direc- 

 tor of the Columbia River Alliance for Fish, Commerce and Com- 

 munities. 



Our organization represents a diverse group of entities through- 

 out the Pacific Northwest and we believe in maintaining a strong 

 multi-use river system for the economic health of our region. 



We further support efforts to save threatened and endangered 

 salmon runs. I think as the region pursues salmon enhancement 

 we must realize that deterioration of the Columbia River Basin 

 salmon runs occurred over more than a century and that no single 

 cause is responsible. 



Restoration of the run will at least require several decades in- 

 volving all aspects of the salmon's life cycle and will require a 

 major commitment of all Northwest parties. In this year, 1994, citi- 

 zens and businesses from the Pacific Northwest will pay almost 

 $350 million for salmon enhancement through higher electric 

 power rates. 



This is almost double the funding of two years ago and it may 

 increase in future years. Columbia River Alliance members are con- 

 cerned with our continued ability to fund these programs. The busi- 



