18 



The fisheries issue presents such an opportunity. We must be re- 

 lentless in guarding remaining salmon habitat, and that includes 

 the important transportation corridors as an essential component 

 of any effort to avert further population declines to restore popula- 

 tions and to accelerate the process of restoring damaged and unpro- 

 ductive habitat. The cooperative ecosystem-based approach to fish- 

 ery restoration in Washington State's Chehalis River Basin, en- 

 couraged and promoted by a member of your committee, Congress- 

 woman Unsoeld, provides an example of the comprehensive way in 

 which we should be looking at fisheries issues over the long-term. 



However, providing the best habitat possible will not guarantee 

 recovery of fish populations unless non-habitat factors are also ad- 

 dressed. As we pursue ecosystem-based approaches to fishery resto- 

 ration, we need to recognize that many tribes have fishing rights to 

 Pacific salmon and also have lands that contain important water- 

 sheds and miles of productive salmon streams. 



We need to recognize the importance of Native American cul- 

 ture, management capabilities, fish and wildlife resources, and 

 their considerable land-based and all watershed restoration activi- 

 ties. We must abandon the piecemeal approach to fishery restora- 

 tion on the West Coast and take a more holistic approach that 

 talks about watersheds and ecosystems, not just rivers and popula- 

 tions. 



Once again, I believe the Forest Conference stimulated thinking 

 along these lines, and I pledge to you that the Fish and Wildlife 

 Service believes that this is the right direction to proceed. Fish res- 

 toration on the West Coast should encompass an entire region. 



The continued commitment of leadership of the Department of 

 Interior should prove an effective driving force in expanding exist- 

 ing and foregoing partnerships. The Fish and Wildlife Service has 

 organized and promoted numerous meetings and myriads of gov- 

 ernment and private organizations in creating a watershed-based 

 protection and resource strategies. 



We are also working with the States and tribes and other Feder- 

 al agencies in developing a comprehensive detailed data base that 

 will allow us to monitor and evaluate the status of individual 

 stocks. 



Lastly, the warnings of scientists were heard when the Congress 

 passed what some day may come to be considered one of the most 

 significant changes in public water policy, and I am referring of 

 course to the Central Valley Improvement Act. I won't go into that 

 in detail, but the Fish and Wildlife Service is working with the 

 Bureau of Reclamation and the State of California and other enti- 

 ties down there to work with changes in water policy in that State. 



Members of the committee, I hope our question period can probe 

 these issues in greater detail. Until that point, I will close by ad- 

 dressing my appreciation for your presence in Portland this week 

 and for your interest in addressing these issues that the Fish and 

 Wildlife Service and others have long felt been needed for a more 

 comprehensive solution. 



Thank you very much. 



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



Chairman Studds. Thank you very much, sir. No wonder the 

 salmon is in trouble. We have been here less than an hour and we 



