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authority over all anadromous species throughout their 



migratory range (16 U.S.C. § 1811(b)). Our research has 



shown that physical and chemical alterations to certain 



Class II and Class III streams directly influence the 



habitat quality of the anadromous streams into which they 



flow. Therefore, alterations to Class II and Class III 



streams are clearly within NMFS ' purview. 



As I understand it, Congress has ordered the Forest Service 

 to manage riparian habitat as follows under Section 

 6(g) (1) (E) Of NFMA: 



Insure that timber will be harvested from National 

 Forest System lands only where protection is provided 

 for streams, wetlands, and other bodies of water from 

 detrimental changes in water temperatures, blockages of 

 water courses, and deposits of sediment, where harvests 

 are likely to seriously and adversely affect water 

 conditions of fish habitat. 



36 CFR Section 219.27 requires: 



Special attention shall be given to land and vegetation 

 for approximately 100 feet from the edges of all 

 perennial streams. No management practices causing 

 detrimental changes in the water temperatures or 

 chemical composition, blockage of water course, or 

 deposits of sediment shall be permitted. 



The National Riparian Policy orders the Forest Service to: 



Manage riparian areas under the principles of multiple 

 use and sustained-yield, while emphasizing protection 

 and improvement of soil, water, vegetation, and fish 

 and wildlife resources; give preferential consideration 

 to riparian-dependent resources when conflicts among 

 land use activities occur. 



Dr. Brooks, do you consider this a good statement of 

 riparian management policy? If not, why not? 



NMFS considers the National Riparian Policy an adequate 



statement of general policy through which specific 



techniques, such as buffer strips, may be required to 



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