13 



1992. However, before we were able to get construction fully under 

 way, new information became available from a biological survey by 

 the Metropolitan Water District that indicated the possibility of 

 sensitive species in the area. 



Following this disclosure, the District immediately undertook a 

 more detailed biological survey, and we found California Orcutt 

 Grass. This finding was presented to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

 Service and the California Department of Fish and Game to deter- 

 mine what was needed to resolve this issue. Unfortunately, after 

 five months, we were unable to come to closure over what was 

 needed and the District proceeded with a new alignment. This 

 added approximately $530,000 to the total cost of the project. 



The District also had a similar experience with the slender 

 horned spineflower, another endangered species. This particular 

 species was noted by a visiting professor from the University of 

 California at Riverside, who was walking along one of Eastern's 

 construction sites. During his walk he observed the emerging plant 

 that had germinated as the result of fall rains. The alignment had 

 been checked earlier and no species were noted at that time. 

 Again, the ultimate solution was a new alignment to protect the 

 endangered species. 



These episodes represent some of the challenges Eastern Munici- 

 pal Water District has been facing with endangered plant species. 

 However, the impression I would like to leave the Committee with 

 is how the District is dealing with endangered species in our area. 

 We have embarked on a program that incorporates wetlands as 

 part of our total water resource management program, which sub- 

 sequently can create critical habitat for endangered species. We are 

 also promoting the development of a multipurpose corridor that 

 will link the national forests along our boundaries and serve as 

 movement corridors for endangered species. 



We appreciate the opportunity to appear before this Committee. 

 We look forward to responding to any questions the Members may 

 have. 



Mr. Studds. Thank you very much. 



[The statement of Dr. Grossman can be found at the end of the 

 hearing.] 



Mr. Studds. Our final witness is Dr. Linda R. McMahan of The 

 Berry Botanic Garden, Portland, Oregon. 



STATEMENT OF DR. LINDA R. McMAHAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, 

 THE BERRY BOTANIC GARDEN, PORTLAND, OREGON 



Ms. McMahan. Thank you. I am Executive Director of The 

 Berry Botanic Garden, which you probably never heard of. I hold 

 graduate degrees in botany and law, and have studied how endan- 

 gered plant laws have been passed and implemented, primarily in 

 the States, and a little bit about the Endangered Species Act. Con- 

 servation of our Nation's plants and other natural resources is an 

 important issue to me. In this regard, I chair the Conservation 

 Committee of the American Association of Botanical Gardens and 

 Arboreta. I am also honored to serve as a member of Oregon's En- 

 vironmental Quality Commission, which oversees the activities of 

 the Department of Environmental Quality in that State. 



