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nesses, communities and the public that we represent are frus- 

 trated that although over $1.5 billion has been spent in the last 13 

 years, the salmon runs continue to decline. 



We believe that future funding is uncertain and we are pleased 

 with the Administration's recent acknowledgement of this fact and 

 the announcement to use taxpayer funding for spill and flow pro- 

 grams of between $10 and $30 million. 



The Snake River Salmon Recovery Team's plan, in general, we 

 believe has three elements that make it the best blueprint for 

 salmon recovery. The plan is scientifically founded, it is com- 

 prehensive covering each stage of the salmon's life cycle and it was 

 created through an open regional process allowing technical peer 

 review and comments. 



The plan does include reform of hatchery practices, it does in- 

 clude reforms of harvest practices, it does include habitat enhance- 

 ment. It does recommend improvements in the mainstem including 

 an immediate action the region should rely upon. 



The barging or transportation system barges juvenile salmon 

 around the dams and releases them closer to the ocean. The plan 

 also includes flow levels as prescribed by the Northwest Power 

 Planning Council but it also recognizes that additional research is 

 necessary to determine future river operations. 



But the plan cautioned against controversial reservoir 

 drawdowns. A John Day reservoir drawdown was considered and 

 rejected by the Team. Other drawdown options were not seriously 

 considered as effective. 



In addition to the plan's specific recommendation, it provides a 

 framework or process for which future decisions can be made on a 

 timely basis using the best available science. It will lead to better 

 coordinated management of the Columbia River Fishery Manage- 

 ment System and we believe that this measure is desperately need- 

 ed. 



But will the Bevan Plan or this recovery plan lead to recovery? 

 I think we need to understand that we have got major natural 

 events occurring at this time which are pushing the runs down fur- 

 ther. This year, which has been commonplace in the last several 

 years, Snake River flows are below average with only about 50 per- 

 cent flow this year as we again experience a drought. 



Also, poor ocean conditions are causing lower survival for both 

 these threatened salmon and other runs up and down the Oregon 

 and Washington coast. But despite these natural events the CRA 

 believes that we still should pursue salmon recovery via the Bevan 

 Plan. 



As the Bevan Team acknowledges, much is still unknown regard- 

 ing salmon and additional research is necessary. Implementation 

 will likely require adaptive management allowing for mid-course 

 corrections. 



The Recovery Team anticipated this action in its plan. As an ex- 

 ample, our members believe that the Team was incorrect by rec- 

 ommending habitat protection standards developed by PACFISH or 

 FEMAT. We believe a more cost-effective approach for stream res- 

 toration and protection, one supported by user groups, like the new 

 Oregon Forest Practices Act is an example. We will pursue this ap- 

 proach in what the plan calls its habitat subcommittee. 



