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condition. I have provided your committee staff with the 

 background report* on our program. 



The rial question that the Russian River program addresses likewise 

 affects most river systems in the westi can people and fish live 

 and thrive In the same watershed? Wo believe they can and that a 

 program such as this which seeks to sustain human uses along side 

 fish and wildlife is the approach needed In most areas of the 

 country. Neither the federal government or the 3tate of California 

 oan afford to purchase and set aside vast tracts of land and 

 watersheds for the sole purpose of restoration and production of 

 fish. This program serves as a valuable model in answering the 

 questioni how do we restore a developed river system and change 

 management practices to bring beck fishery habitat and create a 

 healthy ecosystem with people in it? 



In addition to using a vast amount of scientific data and analysis 

 for the Russian River plan we have established a diverse ooalitlon 

 of interest groups that guide our program. It is not just 

 environmentalists and fishermen who benefit from a healthy 

 watershed; farmers, water purveyors, recreat 1 onal i sts, businesses 

 and urban dwellers have their interests served when the river 

 system is in balance and all beneficial uses can be sustained. 

 This community-based approach is by no means an easy path; 

 convincing the river's users and its adjacent owners of the need to 

 change and the Importance of providing for restoration of the 

 fishery is a large task. But we have been inclusive of all 

 interest groups, Interviewed landowners, held over fifty public 

 meetings and made numerous presentations about river science. We 

 have frund keen Interest and vast cooperation, our coalition has 

 been meeting for three years with none of our 25 groups dropping 

 out. There is a long term community Interest In restoration of the 

 river. I have also provided information on this coalition to your 

 committee staff. t 



This community based planning approach is an example of good 

 governmenti reaching out and serving the interests of both a 

 diverse community and the environment. Our restoration solutions 

 integrate these needs and assure long term success. Like the 

 restoration approach this community based planning provides an 

 excellent model for other watershed efforts and eclipses the 

 unpopular federal top down bureaucracy so prevalent in river 

 projects of past decades. 



The State of California and our local partners have expended nearly 

 91 million in studies and planning efforts to assure a well- 

 balanced restoration program for the Russian River. The Russian 

 River Fisheries and Riverbed Restoration Act will make the federal 

 government a partner in implementing this project and create an 

 innovative model for the country. We urge your passage of this 

 important legislation. 



