2. The Program 



The dams in the Columbia River Basm broug^it the Northwest a mixed blessing On the one 

 hand hydroelectric development provided the region with a relatively inexpensive renewable 

 power resource. On the other hand hydroelectric construction and operation resulted m major 

 damage to another resource--the fish ano wildlife of the basm The dams created major barriers to 

 migrating fish--principaily salmon and steelhead trout Changes m water flows, levels, and 

 temperatures also decreased the survival of fish As the dams turned the river into a series of lakes, 

 natural spawning and rearing habitats tor the fish and shoreline habitats for wildlife were 

 diminished 



On November 15 1982, theCounciis Columbia River Basm Fish and Wildlife Program was 

 adopted to address these problems It was amended on October 10 1984 (programwide 

 amendments) February 2i 1985 (goals sections) and February 13 1986 (mamstem passage 

 sections) It has seven major objectives 



1 To help juvenile salmon and steelhead downstream to the ocean, 



2 To improve Survival once the fish reach the ocean 



3 To help the adult fish return upstream to spawn 



4 To augment propagation of salmon and steelhead. 

 5. To enhance resident fish. 



6 To enhance wildlife. 



7 To ensure careful planning of future hydroelectric projects to minimize further negative 

 impacts on fish and wildlife 



All of these objectives are to be achieved withm the scope of hydropower responsibility for 

 fish and wildlife losses, so that ratepayers bear the costs only of measures addressing hydropower 

 impacts The Northwest Power Act designates the Bonneville Power Administration, the Bureau of 

 Reclamation, the Corps of Engineers, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as primarily 

 responsible for carrying out the Councils program 



THE AMENDMENT PROCESS 



The Council recognizes the program will be most effective if it is flexible and responsive to 

 new information and new technology It has incorporated an amendment process into the 

 program to allow for correction anc refinement through submission of applications for amendment 

 The deadline for submitting applications m tne current amendment process was February 18. 1986. 



Eighty-five amendment applications were received by the February deadline In addition, the 

 Council voted on June 10. 1986. to consider another application. 704(b)/ Umatilla, submitted after 

 the deadline A summary of the amendment proposals as well as their complete texts were made 

 available to all interested parties Through the spring and over the summer of 1986. the Council 

 and Its staff considered the amendment applications and consulted with interested parties. 



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