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In an effort to address the issue of declining fish stocks in 

 the Pacific Northwest, we initiated a team effort early last 

 spring to undertake an assessment and develop a management 

 strategy that extends beyond the Columbia River Basin and 

 addresses the needs of all Pacific anadromous "at risk" stocks 

 on National Forests. This effort is staffed with technical 

 specialists and managers from our National Forest System and 

 research scientists from our Research organization. The Forest 

 Service is focusing on management of entire watersheds, and will 

 use an ecosystem management approach that requires an intimate 

 understanding of watershed functions and processes and how 

 management activities effect stream channels, water flows, water 

 quality, and sediment and woody debris delivery. 



As part of the assessment. Forest Seirvice research scientists, 

 working with fisheries biologists and watershed specialists on 

 National Forests with Pacific anadromous fish habitat, have 

 characterized current habitat conditions in many watersheds on 

 National Forests and other lands in the Pacific Northwest as 

 being degraded. Generally, these streams have fewer pools, 

 higher fine sediments in spawning gravels, and greater 

 disturbance of riparian vegetation resulting in reduced fish 

 habitat capabilities. While these downward trends in habitat 

 conditions represent the cumulative effects, across all 

 ownerships, of past and present land management activities, it 

 should be noted the best remaining fish habitat in the Pacific 

 Northwest is found on the National Forests. With the help of 

 historic inventory and survey data, as well as current research. 



