14 



agement of anadromous fish resources throughout the range of the 

 Pacific salmon. We have worked with and have received funding 

 through the Northwest Power Planning Council for habitat en- 

 hancement programs on national forests throughout the Columbia 

 Basin. 



We were an active participant in 1990-1991 Salmon Summit Con- 

 ference sponsored by Senator Hatfield. Outside the Columbia River 

 Basin, there are numerous other cooperative restoration efforts in 

 which the Forest Service is an active participant. 



In the State of Washington we are working with the U.S. Fish 

 and Wildlife Service, State and tribal agencies, conservation orga- 

 nizations, and industry groups to restore watershed conditions in 

 the Puget Sound area. 



In northern California, we are working closely with the Fish and 

 Wildlife Service, the California Department of Fish and Game, 

 tribes and private groups and restoration efforts within the Klam- 

 ath River drainage. 



The third question is what obstacles stand in the way of success- 

 ful coast-wide strategy? 



Habitat management on a coast-wide basis will be difficult in 

 view of the mixed ownership patterns in coastal river basins: State, 

 private, and Federal. The major challenge will be the management 

 of private lands within the basins and the restoration of estuaries 

 that have been affected by basin land use activities in managing 

 for fish while meeting the other needs of the affected communities 

 and sectors. 



What elements are necessarily part of a coast-wide strategy? 



An overall watershed management plan which is implementable 

 and which embraces all ownerships and sources of fish mortality. It 

 is essential that freshwater habitats and estuaries are to be man- 

 aged and restored to a level of productivity to meet anadromous 

 fish production goals. 



What progress, if any, has been made toward restoration? 



The Forest Service in the development of the anadromous fish 

 policy and implementation of the salmon summit measures and 

 participating cooperative efforts, all of which I have discussed earli- 

 er. 



For those species under ESA, please describe the agency's imple- 

 mentation of section 7. 



The Forest Service has developed in consultation with the BLM 

 and National Marine Fisheries a procedure for conducting consul- 

 tations of these stocks and land administered in the Snake River 

 Basin. We are optimistic that the president's plan will contribute 

 significantly toward improved habitat conditions and recovery of 

 stocks at risk. 



However, an ecosystem management cannot be successful with- 

 out the participation of all Federal and non-Federal landowners, 

 tribes and agencies in those affected watersheds. 



That concludes my five minutes. I will be glad to answer any 

 questions. 



[The statement of Mr. Lowe may be found at end of hearing.] 



Chairman Studds. Thank you, sir. It does focus the mind, doesn't 

 it? Sorry about that. 



