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5 

 simultaneously. Grouping allows NMFS to evaluate a multitude of 

 actions comprehensively and simplifies the administrative burden 

 on all parties involved. Cooperation among the action agencies 

 has been good, and as a result, none of these consultations were 

 issued with "jeopardy" determinations. In all instances, we were 

 able to achieve improvements in salmon survival. 



For example, NMFS concluded in a May 26, 1993, biological opinion 

 that the final proposed 1993 operations of the Federal Columbia 

 River Power System are not likely to jeopardize the continued 

 existence of the listed salmon because many improvements over the 

 base period are being implemented. The most significant 

 improvement is the decrease in migration time and reduction of 

 mortality of juvenile Snake River salmon resulting from flow 

 agumentation commitments by Federal agencies that operate the 

 Federal Columbia River Power System. During the consultation, 

 NMFS identified flow targets that, when combined with the 

 improvements in Federal Columbia River Power System operations 

 which I will describe, will be likely to provide an adequate 

 reduction in mortality relative to the 1986-1990 base period. 



Other important improvements over the base period for the 

 juvenile Snake River salmon include the operation of a new 

 facility to transport juvenile salmon at Lower Monumental Dam and 

 extended seasonal operation of bypasses. Both of these not only 

 improve juvenile survival, but also improve survival of adults by 



