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• Both plans call for improved hatchery production and for careful 

 experiments to rebuild naturally spawning stocks. 



In fact, there are far more similarities than differences. But there are 

 differences. I will mention four here briefly, and then I will expand on them later 

 in my testimony. 



• First, the Council is concerned that the Salmon Oversight Committee 

 proposed by the Recovery Team would duplicate a measure in the Strategy 

 for Salmon and be too focused on the Endangered Species Act. We think it 

 is important to avoid adding additional layers of process to the salmon 

 recovery effort. 



• Second, the Recovery Team initially proposed that the region choose either a 

 transportation strategy or an Inriver migration strategy to improve survivgd 

 of juvenile fish as they migrate to the ocesm. The Strategy says that while 

 there is much regional disagreement on the benefits of transportation, it is 

 one of the few tools the region has to improve salmon survival in the near 

 term, especially in low water conditions. In the longer term, depending on 

 results of continuing evaluation, transportation may be useful in the mix of 

 techniques the region will employ to decrease salmon mortality associated 

 with migration through reservoirs. 



• Third, the Recovery Team omitted a John Day Reservoir drawdown. It is 

 one of the additional measures the Council included in the Strategy for 

 Salmon. While we haven't made a final decision, we believe it is not prudent 

 to eliminate any option at this time. In the Strategy, we sisked for additional 

 study of the John Day drawdown, and we will take up the issue in our fall 

 rulemaking. 



• Fourth. I think it also is important to note that our plan is in place, emd it is 

 being implemented. It is important that the region continue to implement 

 the Strategy while the Snake River salmon recovery plan is being developed. 



The Recovery Team correctly notes there is no silver bullet for recovery of 

 salmon populations and, accordingly, it is not surprising that their plan indicates 



