(A) Account for program progress. - 



To develop and implement a biologically-sound and economically-responsible 

 program, the Council must have a way to measure program progress. In fact, 

 the Northwest Power Act requires the Council to submit a detailed annual report 

 evaluating the effectiveness of its program. See 16 U.S.C. 839b(h)(12)(A). To 

 this end, the Council intends to develop a systemwide monitoring and 

 evaluation program keyed to the objectives identified as part of its system and 

 subbasin planning. 



(B) Reduce biological and economical risks of action. 



A sound monitoring and evaluation program is particularly important when 

 management and enhancement decisions must be made against a background 

 of biological uncertainty. Because there are major gaps in knowledge about the 

 life cycles of the different salmon and steelhead stocks in the Columbia River 

 Basin and the impact of the hydropower system on those life cycles, the Council 

 must make decisions despite the possibility of a range of outcomes, including 

 failure. To minimize the possibility of biological disasters and costly mistakes, 

 actions must be complemented by a monitoring and evaluation system so 

 failures can be identified early and management strategies modified 

 accordingly. 



(C) Increase knowledge about the biological system. 



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