12 



First, if our purpose in providing the protection of the Endangered Species Act 

 is to preserve the unique genetic make-up of the subspecies, then why are we apply- 

 ing the protection ONLY to the population segment with the weakest claim to that 

 genetic makeup? 



Given the considerable degree of straying known to have occurred — the mixing ef- 

 fect of which has been INCREASED by removing "pure" fish before they reach the 

 spawning grounds — does the naturally spawning group even QUALIFY for the pro- 

 tection of the Act? Or is it a hybrid created in part by past National Marine Fish- 

 eries Service policy? 



And if, after all, the hybrid is entitled to the Act's protection, then how can we 

 in good conscience — and good science — fail to both protect and COUNT the geneti- 

 cally more authentic group that is associated with the hatchery? 



Mr. Chairman, I am not going to get into the motives that may have led us to 

 this point. That is a discussion for another day. But motives aside, the FACT is that 

 the scientific process with regard to Snake River fall chinook is flawed — deeply 

 flawed. 



The FACT is that those flaws are having an extraordinary effect both on fisher- 

 men in Alaska, who have had their chinook salmon harvest reduced by 23,000 in 

 order to allow 23 fish to pass by — most of which were subsequently killed by other 

 factors which the Endangered Species Act has failed to control. 



And the FACT is that the river-dependent ratepayers and users of the Pacific 

 Northwest are also affected by the same flawed science. 



In closing, let me stress once again: Columbia and Snake River salmon stocks are 

 unquestionably in deep trouble, we should do everything we can to restore them, 

 and there are any number of reasons why doing so is well-worth the cost. But in 

 fairness to all those from the Pacific Northwest and Alaska who are being asked 

 to shoulder the burden of those costs, we MUST ensure that our programs are based 

 on sound science. Today, with respect to the Snake River fall chinook salmon, that 

 is not the case. 



Thank you again, Mr. Chairman, for your interest and your patience. I would like 

 to submit this copy of the State of Alaska's February 22, 1995 comments on listing 

 the Snake River fall chinook as an endangered species for the Committee's perma- 

 nent record of these proceedings, and I stand ready to work with you and the other 

 Members from the Northwest on resolving these issues. 



