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Managing Molecules or Saving Salmon? -The "Evolutionarily Significant Unit" 



Thomas W. H. Backman' and Laura Berg 



Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission 



729 N.E. Oregon, Suite 200 



Portland, Oregon 97232 



ABSTRACT 



The purpose of the Endangered Species Act is to revitalize animal and plant populations on 

 the brink of extinction and to protect the ecosystems that support them. The act has 

 provisions to preserve habitat and develop a recovery plan. The act allows for protection of a 

 biological species, a sub-species, or what the act calls a distinct population segment. Federal 

 listing policies can hamper actions to restore extirpated or weak fish stocks. 



' Author responsible for correspondence 



