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starting point toward defining priority species and habitat relationships for entire 

 basins, we can then begin creating a more certain economic and natural resource 

 environment. Long-term natural resource health will provide local industries and 

 governments a road map for managing risk and opportunity. 



We must quickly organize to meet these challenges. I made the observation the other 

 day in a meeting with tribal managers that the work we are required to do is not the 

 work we would prefer to do. We are a group of fisheries biologists skilled at harvest 

 management, stock assessment end artificial production. However, most of our time 

 and concern are focussed on forest practices, urban growth management, agricultural 

 practices and hydro-electric operations. We are committed to work with the 

 economic sectors to ensure our long-term success. 



Mr. Chairmen, I do not want to leave the Committee with the impression that we are all 

 vision, policy development and puffery. In addition to developing broad approaches 

 for protection and restoration, we also have made Important, specific progress toward 

 restoration and recovery In a number of watersheds. For example, we have been 

 significantly Involved in Snake River recovery planning and responses. Our Lyons 

 Ferry fall Chinook program has been key to preserving and protecting a genetically 

 pure strain of Snake River fall chlnook that otherwise would have been subject to 

 significant genetic impacts from non-local hatchery stocks straying into the stock's 

 natural spawning ereas. This hatchery program will provide Important options for 

 supplementing the stock In its natural habitat while critical flow and passage Issues are 

 being resolved In the basin. We have also taken great care to design and implement 

 hatchery mitigation programs for the lower Snake River and upper Columbia River 

 that have as a primary objective sustaining naturally spawning populations. 



In the Puget Sound region the state, tribes and various affected parties have active 

 restoration programs ongoing In the Nooksack, Dungeness and White River basins. 

 These programs have focussed on critical stocks of spring Chinook salmon and their 

 habitats. The White River program has taken a stock close to extinction and 

 successfully Increased numbers to the level where reproductions into the watershed 

 are now being pursued. In all these programs the state and tribes' Wild Stock 

 Initiative Is providing the Impetus for broadening efforts to a full range of species and 

 habitats within these and other priority basins. The major impediments to expanded 

 long-term success, frankly, are the lack of adequate federal funding support for priority 

 restoration programs and absence of strong federal support and involvement in 

 contributing to resolution of land and water use conflicts. 



While many other examples of specific accomplishments exist, I believe this brief 

 overview demonstrates the Department's commitment and dedication to salmon and 

 watershed recovery and restoration. The challenges are great, however, and we look 

 forward to additional support from Congress and the Administration to assist the state 

 and tribes In leading Washington on a path Into a much brighter future for Its natural 

 resources and citizens. 



Thank you. 



