44 



tial to severely impact the remaining habitat necessary to maintain 

 viable anadromous fish populations. 



The Fisheries Service has met with the Forest Service several 

 times to develop a more efficient process to review the thousands 

 of actions requiring consultation. In January of this year, we jointly 

 adopted a more comprehensive process for completing consulta- 

 tions. Basically, this approach will group actions by geographic 

 area; that is, by watershed and by resource; and whether it is 

 range, grazing, timber, mining and so on, rather than conducting 

 project-by-project consultations. 



The Forest Service will prioritize its actions and provide critical 

 due dates to us. Also, we have jointly prepared a biological outline 

 to ensure that the information we need to complete consultations 

 is submitted to us. We are currently working with the Bureau of 

 Land Management to adopt a similar approach. Once we have com- 

 pleted the necessary consultations witn the Forest Service and 

 BLM, we will have a better idea of the effect of their activities on 

 listed species, and, to a degree, on other anadromous species as 

 well. 



In closing, we are focusing on the conservation of all anadromous 

 stocks, not just the listed ones. Efforts to bring about the recovery 

 of listed species and restore habitat can be very expensive. As Con- 

 gressman Dicks pointed out earlier this morning, it is far more cost 

 effective to prevent habitat from being degraded and to prevent 

 species from becoming endangered in the first place. 



Existing authorities should be used in a more innovative manner 

 to reconcile and integrate human needs with the conservation of 

 natural resources and their ecosystems. We need to develop better 

 information on species and ecosystem processes to ensure decisions 

 are made with the full knowledge of the potential risks. 



Our goal is to maintain salmon and steelhead stocks as a vital 

 resource unique to the Northwest that can be utilized and enjoyed 

 by all. 



Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That concludes my statement. I 

 would be pleased to answer any questions you have. 



Mr. Vento. Thank you. Dr. Tillman. 



[Prepared statement of Dr. Tillman follows:! 



