about the necessary preliminary litigation and the amount of time required to initiate a 

 formal legal process. 



• the U.S. V. Oreg on process. The group expressed concern about complete representation 

 in that process and also about compromising tribal rights. 



The group agreed to broad principles for resolving disputes in implementation: 



• 



Form technical panels capable of review and analysis of disputed issues (or utilize 

 existing bodies). All interested sovereign authorities could participate. If the technical 

 panel can reach a decision, the dispute ends there. 



• Establish a policy panel to consider disputes chiefly of a policy nature and also appeals 

 from the technical panels. The policy panel would be open to all interested sovereign 

 authorities. 



• Establish a final decision point - possibly an administrative law judge - to hear and rule 

 on issues that cannot be resolved at the policy level. 



Group members believed there is a need for regional fish and wildlife planning. Local 

 management goals often conflict with regional objectives. For example, sturgeon requirements 

 on the Kootenai River conflict with salmon flow requirements. Regional planning should bring M 

 the management authorities together to resolve such conflicts. Regional plans should be general, ^ 

 allowing flexibility in implementation at the local watershed level. 



18 



