62 



Mr. Glauthier. We are not prepared to make a statement about 

 previous years, but I would like to expand on Dr. Rivlin's state- 

 ment. The other users include the Federal Government. 



The Federal Government is the owner, of course, of the Corps 

 dams and the Bureau of Reclamation dams, so the allocation that 

 Dr. Rivlin announced earlier is an allocation to these other uses 

 and users. 



That is the permanent portion of the announcement that Dr. 

 Rivlin made. For the next 2 years, that additional allocation also 

 sees to the same additional uses and users. 



Senator Hatfield. But should not Bonneville already be receiv- 

 ing contributions from these other beneficiaries? 



Mr. Glauthier. In the past, the allocation was not made. Last 

 year, we made the allocation for the emergency spill program and 

 as Dr. Rivlin has just announced, we are accepting that as an ap- 

 propriate action from this year forward. 



Senator Hatfield. Which, in effect, are really credits already 

 owed to the ratepayers. 



Mr. Glauthier. We are accepting that from this point on. We are 

 with you there. 



Senator Hatfield. Thank you very much. 



Are there any further questions? If not, thank you, Ms. Rivlin, 

 for your time here today. 



We are looking forward to continuing our working relationship, 

 and I would hope that you would look at all possibilities for the 

 long term and not just these Band-Aids that we are now engaged 

 in, and especially when there are other sources for assistance. 



Ms. Rivlin. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is a hard problem, 

 and we 



Senator Hatfield. Yes; I know that. 



Ms. Rivlin [continuing]. Look forward to working with you on it. 



Senator Hatfield. Thank you very much. 



Now, I will return to Senator Gorton for any opening statement. 



STATEMENT OF HON. SLADE GORTON 



Senator Gorton. Mr. Chairman, this is a vitally important hear- 

 ing on an issue of a central weight and to the health of the Pacific 

 Northwest regional economy. The issue is the recovery of endan- 

 gered runs of salmon and the impact that recovery has on the com- 

 petitiveness of the Bonneville Power Administration. 



As it has over the past several years, the issue will continue to 

 take up much of the time and energy of the region, its people, and 

 decisionmakers. 



On the announcement of the final biological opinion a few weeks 

 ago. Will Stelle, the Regional Director of the National Marine Fish- 

 eries Service, said, and I quote, "If there are baby salmon in the 

 Snake River, today is a good day for you." 



He is right, but we need to consider the impact of this biological 

 opinion on more than just baby salmon. We must consider the im- 

 pact on local economies built up along our river system using the 

 water in that river, on Bonneville competitiveness, irrigated agri- 

 culture, river users, recreational activities, fisherman, and many 

 other people. 



