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thought to funding for his world-class research? One familiar with modern 

 institutions of higher learning knows the sometimes intense pressures 

 brought to bear on the faculty to bring in research dollars. 



Mr. Chairman, the Sierra Club does not provide this information in our 

 testimony lightly or gladly. It is distasteful to look into these questions; we 

 would have preferred not to. However, by its very nature, the assertion from 

 several parties that the Recovery Team is independent, free from bias, and 

 qualified to act as ultimate arbiter of salmon recovery biology raises the issue 

 of professional objectivity and integrity. The Sierra Club did not make this 

 assertion, which forces the Committee and us to confront some unpleasant 

 questions. 



With this information provided to the Committee in our testimony 

 today, we do not even suggest that Dr. Bjornn or Mr. Litchfield have 

 personally profited by their service on the Recovery Team or by its 

 recommendations. We do not accuse Mr. Litchfield, Dr. Bjornn, BPA. or the 

 Corps of bribery, corruption, conspiracy, or any illegal activity whatsoever. 



But the Sierra Club does reject the assertion that the NMFS Recovery 

 Team was or is independent, and free from bias or any outside influence. 

 We respectfully urge the Committee to reject this proposition, too. 



• How should salmon recovery planning proceed? 



First of all. the advisory Recovery Team and its recommendations 

 should have little or no bearing on whether or not NMFS should require 

 interim or emergency actions such as reservoir drawdowns, spill, 

 curtailment of fish barging to "spread the risk," flows, surface collector, etc. 

 While preparing the official recovery plan, NMFS should take steps to 

 protect threatened and endangered salmon based on the scientific merits -- 

 not on the recommendations of the Recovery Team. 



Second, and most important, NMFS should act promptly to complete 

 the official recovery plan for these listed fish runs in the Snake River 

 watershed. In doing so, NMFS should give due consideration to the full 

 range of scientific information and judgment, including: 



— The Recovery Team recommendations; 



— All peer review of the Recovery Team recommendations; 



— All new and relevant scientific information, particularly the recent 



peer review of the juvenile fish transportation program 

 conducted by Dr. Phillip Mundy and a distinguished team under 

 contract to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 



— The Strategy for Salmon from the Northwest Power Planning 



Council; 



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