The administration believes these actions will make a major con- 

 tribution toward our shared goal of achieving healthy salmon 

 stocks in the Columbia basin and maintaining a stable power sys- 

 tem in the region. 



PREPARED STATEMENT 



Mr. Chairman, this concludes my remarks on the administra- 

 tion's efforts to develop a solution that reverses the declining salm- 

 on runs in the Snake and Columbia River systems. I would be 

 pleased to answer any questions that you may have. 



Senator Hatfield. Thank you. 



[The statement follows:] 



Prepared Statement of Alice M. Rivlin 



Mr. Chairman, members of the Subcommittee, thank you for inviting me today 

 to discuss the Administration's proposed salmon restoration effort that we all be- 

 lieve is so important to the Northwest. 



As you know, the Administration has devoted significant time and resources to 

 reach consensus on this proposal. The decision we are announcing today represents 

 the best efforts of many people in the several Federal agencies involved in this issue 

 in the Northwest. 



BACKGROUND 



Columbia and Snake River salmon are a significant part of the Northwest culture, 

 a symbol of the spirit and beauty of the region. Salmon are critical economically to 

 the Northwest. They are the basis for a large and once prosperous commercial and 

 sport fishing industry. But, the decline of salmon in the Northwest has resulted in 

 banning offshore coho fishing and in sharp restrictions on fishing for other species. 

 In 1988, the regional salmon fishery supported 60,000 jobs and $1.2 billion in in- 

 come. Today, reports suggest that 90 percent of these jobs and incomes have been 

 lost. 



We all have heard the stories about the plentiful runs of Chinook, Sockeye, and 

 other salmon species that have provided food and livelihood for the region over the 

 years — including, especially. Native Americans living there. Though these plentiful 

 salmon runs still exist in other rivers along the Northwest coast, primarily in Can- 

 ada and Alaska, they are now declining in the Columbia River basin. Most authori- 

 ties believe the emergence of other land and water resource applications on the Co- 

 lumbia and Snake Rivers and its tributaries caused the decline in salmon runs. Be- 

 fore the region's development began over 150 years ago, upwards of 16 million 

 adults returned to spawn in the Columbia basin each year. Today, fewer than 3 mil- 

 lion return; most of these migrate to hatcheries. 



Scientists cite many reasons for the decline of these fish. But, four factors play 

 the major role: (1) The reduced acreage and quality of water habitat; (2) construc- 

 tion of many dams for hydroelectric production; (3) over-production of hatchery fish 

 and a crowding out of wild fish, thereby producing weaker species; and (4) excessive 

 coastal and ocean harvest. 



Previous Administrations backed the goal of protecting and restoring salmon in 

 the Columbia River basin. Since the Mitchell Act hatcheries were put in place in 

 the 1930's and 1940's, all Federal agencies in the region have devoted significant 

 resources to maintaining salmon runs. Millions of dollars have been spent on juve- 

 nile salmon dam bypass and collection facilities and on fish ladders for returning 

 adults. In addition, operational changes have been made to increase flows and spills 

 of water in the spring and summer. Several million acre-feet of water are used for 

 this purpose each year. 



We have pledged to address these issues through the National Marine Fisheries 

 Service (NMFS), Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), and other Federal agen- 

 cies in the region. Responding to a March 28, 1994 finding by a Federal District 

 Court that the Federal government was not taking sufficient action to ensure the 

 survival of salmon, the Administration determined that it would assume, on an 

 emergency basis, some of the cost of additional spills and flows needed to assist Co- 

 lumbia and Snake River salmon migration. To do this, we used the provisions of 

 section 4(h)(10)(c) of the Northwest Power Planning and Conservation Act. This pro- 

 vision permits BPA to allocate fish and wildlife program expenses incurred on be- 



