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RQviev of the National Marina Fisheries service 

 1994 supplemental Spring Spill Program 



Background 



Prior to May 10, 1994, the standard spill scenario for the Lower 

 Snake and Columbia River dams was according to the National 

 Marine Fisheries Service's (NMFS) 1994-98 Federal Columbia River 

 Power System Biological Opinion which was issued on March 16, 

 1994 as a result of Endangered Species Act, Section 7 

 consultation on hydropower system operation. Briefly, the 

 Biological Opinion states that spring spill shall occur at three 

 dams at the following rates: Ice Harbor - 25 kefs for 12 hours. 

 The Dalles - 10% of project flow for 24 hours, and Bonneville - 

 50% of project flow for 24 hours. 



On May 9, 1994 the National Marine Fisheries Service requested 

 that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) emd Bonneville Power 

 Administration (BPA) , at the esurliest opportunity, implement an 

 emergency spill program at all Federally-operated dams on the 

 lower Snake and lower Columbia rivers. • This action was deemed 

 necessary to improve survival of spring outmigrating juvenile 

 salmonids and was developed by the technical staff of the U.S. 

 Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service 

 and with technical input from regional State and Tribal fishery 

 agencies. This operation began at 24 00 hours on May 10 emd 

 consisted of an increase or initiation of spill at all eight 

 Federally operated dams on the lower Snake and Columbia rivers to 

 a level necessary to pass 80 percent of the juvenile outmigrants 

 through non-turbine routes (80% FPE) but not to exceed 120% total 

 dissolved gas saturation. 



Water Quality Standards 



Discussions began January 13, 1994, between NMFS the 

 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) , Oregon Department of 

 Environmental Quality (ODEQ) , and Washington Department of 

 Ecology (WDOE) regarding the 110% total dissolved gas (TDG) 

 standard. On May 10, a letter was sent by NMFS to WDOE 

 requesting a short-term modification of the standard. Since the 

 ODEQ had no provision for a modification, a letter was sent by 

 NMFS to the Governor of Oregon recpaesting assistance in obtaining 

 a variance from the ODEQ Commission to manage gas levels above 

 the state standard (letters were also sent to the Governors of 

 Washington and Idaho asking assistance with their water quality 

 standards) . 



The ODEQ Commission held a public meeting on May 16 to hear 

 justification for exceeding the water quality standards and, on 

 May 17 , ' issued a Temporary Rule allowing exceedance through June 

 20, 1994. The WDOE issued an executive order to allow a one week 

 exceedance of the 110% standard on May 10 and a short-term 



