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The Tecun urges prepsu^tlon of a habitat assessment within six months 

 using existing Information. We believe that the recently completed Columbia River 

 Beisln Subbasln Pleins and the Integrated System Plan should provide most of the 

 Information needed for this exercise. These plans were prepared under Council 

 contract in the late 1980s and, while the Council has noted inconsistencies In the 

 level and quality of habitat data, the plans were based on the best data existing at 

 the time. 



The Team also endorsed the initiation of long-term subbasin habitat 

 management. This Is consistent with the Council's direction. It is clear that the 

 implementation of individual habitat projects, without reference to key factors 

 limiting salmon production, likely will produce disappointing results or could be 

 unsuccessful. Coordinated and cooperative habitat improvement is necessary and 

 consistent with the Team's recommendations. The Council's Strategy calls for a 

 comprehensive watershed management approach In several model wratersheds 

 around the Columbia River Basin. Our exp)ectation in these watersheds is that 

 focused federal, state, local and private efforts are the best hope for significant 

 habitat improvements. In a number of areas, the Team's recommendations eire 

 more specific than the Council's Strategy, and we believe those vnll help further 

 expedite habitat protection and improvement. 



Our Strategy recognizes the importance of involving private property owners 

 in improving salmon spawning and rearing habitat. We designed the model 

 watersheds program in the Strategy around the concept that this work can be 

 accomplished cooperatively by land ovmers eind government, particulEirly the Soil 

 ConservaUon Service (SCS). The SCS is providing valuable assistance in this 

 effort, which is under vray in Idaho. Oregon and Washington. Through the model 

 watersheds, landowners are actively participating in salmon rebuilding activities. 

 Landowners need assurance that effective actions on their part will limit their 

 exposure to penalties under the Endangered Species Act if a stock that spavms on 

 their property is listed. 



In the production area, we sheire the Team's concern that hatchery practices 

 and policies are fragmented and in need of improvement. Under the Strategy, we 

 have charged a team of hatchery operation specialists (the Integrated Hatchery 



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