10 



It is estimated that as few as three fish might actually have 

 reached the spawning grounds the others were probably either 

 caught or lost in the dams. 



This year even greater restrictions are proposed for Alaska, and 

 that will have even greater economic impact. So I say again, Mr. 

 Chairman, this makes no sense to only count natural spawning 

 stock, but not the genetically pure hatchery fish, when recognizing 

 the hatchery fish would make a real difference in the debate. 



PREPARED STATEMENT 



Mr. Chairman, this brief review was necessarily incomplete. I 

 would refer those interested to my full statement and supplemental 

 material, which is about 50 pages, and which I submit to you for 

 the examination of your professional staff. I appreciate the courtesy 

 extended to me today. 



Senator HATFIELD. Thank you, Senator Murkowski. 



[The statement follows:] 



Prepared Statement of Senator Frank H. Murkowski 



~" Mr^hHirrnan: I appreciate the invitation to participate in this hearing. The use 

 and productivity of tne Columbia and Snake River systems are matters ofenormous 

 concern to me both as a Senator from Alaska and as Chairman of the Committee 

 on Energy and Natural Resources. 



For the purposes of this hearing I plan to focus on specific interests of the State 

 of Alaska, but 1 do not want that emphasis to be interpreted as a lack of interest 

 from the authorizing Committee in resolution of the issues on these systems. 



The requirements under the Columbia River Treaty, the Pacific Northwest Elec- 

 tric Power Planning and Conservation Act, various treaties and other obligations to 

 Indian Tribes in the Northwest and the effect of requirements under the Endan- 

 gered Species Act, Clean Water Act, and other legislation on the operation of the 

 Bonneville Power Administration and Bureau of Reclamation facilities are matters 

 of great concern to the Energy and Natural Resource Committee. Activities under 

 all these agreements and obligations also have a substantial impact on the Pacific 

 Salmon Treaty we have with Canada, and that is also a matter of great impor- 

 tance — not only to the people of Alaska, but to those from Oregon, Washington, and 

 elsewhere who depend on Alaska salmon fisheries for their livelihoods. 



I intend to work closely with the Chairman of this Committee, who also sits on 

 the Energy Committee, and with other Members of the Pacific Northwest delega- 

 tions in examining these issues. 



Senator Craig, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Forest and Public Land 

 Management has already begun a series of oversight hearings into the operation of 

 our National Forests, particularly in the Northwest. 1 also expect that subcommittee 

 will soon begin to look at the operation of Reclamation facilities. 



Finally, as the Chairman knows, we have scheduled a hearing on S. 92, his legis- 

 lation on Bonneville refinancing, before the Energy Production and Regulation sub- 

 committee. Senator Nickles will chair the session starting at 10:00 a.m. on March 

 21. 



Today, however, I want to focus my comments not on the hydroelectric system, 

 but on a related issue with serious implications for power, transportation and agri- 

 culture in the Northwest, and for fisheries in Alaska. 



One of the forces driving today's issue is the status of various salmon stocks listed 

 under the Endangered Species Act. Of these listed stocks, one of the most important 

 is the Snake River fall chinook. The National Marine Fisheries Service now pro- 

 poses to change its status formally from "threatened" to "endangered," which will 

 have serious consequences for Alaskan fishermen as well as for dam operations and 

 other river uses. 



I am here today to advise you, Mr. Chairman, and the other members of the com- 

 mittee, that I feel strongly that the proposed revision in listing is not justified by 

 the scientific evidence. In fact, I believe the relisting proposal is driven NOT by le- 

 gitimate environmental concern — but by the worst kind of environmental politics. 



I intend to submit for the record a complete scientific explanation of why endan- 

 gered status is not appropriate for the Snake River fall chinook. This document was 



