5. Who should fund the effort to monitor and evaluate the progress of the fish and wildlife program? 



6. How can communication of research and monitoring results to resource managers and the 

 interested public be improved? 



The six issues identified for public comment are critical links in ensuring that necessary 

 Information is developed and made available to refine the fish and wildlife program and to help achieve 

 program goals. Their resolution should help in carrying out the Council's policy of adaptive 

 management, which is intended to permit the pursuit of an action-oriented program in the face of 

 considerable biological uncertainties. Adaptive management requires an assessment of the 

 effectiveness of actions, the resolution of critical uncertainties, and an effective forum for 

 communicating research and monitoring results to decision makers and other interested parties. 



An additional problem that has been identified frequently by all parties in the basin is the 

 formation of new groups to solve problems, a situation that often taxes available staff. Any solutions to 

 research and monitoring problems need to make the most efficient use of limited staff time basinwide. 



The purpose of this issue paper is to highlight the issues, identify potential options for solving the 

 problems, and seek public comment on the options. Accordingly, the issue paper first describes the 

 background of research and monitoring in the Columbia River Basin, how research and monitoring are 

 provided for in the fish and wildlife program, and the problems in research and monitoring that still 

 need to be solved. New developments that may contribute to solving these problems are described. 

 Finally, the issue paper discusses the six issues in research and monitoring that require resolution, and 

 describes options for resolving them. 



Research planning and monitoring in the complicated jurisdictional environment of salmon and 

 steelhead management are not simple matters. As a result, we have made no attempt to advocate a 

 specific solution until public comment can be reviewed. The ultimate goal is to develop a cohesive 

 research and monitoring process that addresses the identified concerns. Alternatives identified are not 

 necessarily mutually exclusive, and commentors should feel free to propose additional alternatives as 

 appropriate. We have developed this issue paper in close consultation with representatives of the 

 Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Authority, Bonneville Power Administration, the Corps of Engineers, 

 the Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee, and other entities interested in salmon and 

 steelhead research and monitoring. 



The schedule for presentation and comment on the issue paper is as follows: 



September 14-15 Staff presentation of issue paper at Council meeting in Boise 



October 12-13 Public comment at Council meeting in Missoula 



November 9-10 Public comment at Council meeting in Spokane 



December 14-15 Council action at Portland Council meeting 



Consultations will be held on request with interested parties during October and November. 

 Public comment will be received in the Council's Portland office until 5 p.m., November 18, 1988. 



