1. BONNEVILLE RELEASES FISH FUNDING PROPOSAL Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2003 (PST)

The Bonneville Power Administration this morning (Sept. 18) released a set of principles for future funding of fish and wildlife mitigation, including the recovery of Columbia Basin salmon and steelhead listed under the Endangered Species Act. In setting fish and wildlife costs for the 2002-2006 rate period, Bonneville will use a "planning range" of $438 million to $721 million a year. The range is intended to "keep the options open" for the most expensive ... Read More...

2. COMMENTS REVEAL SCHISM OVER FISH FUNDING PLAN Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2003 (PST)

Recent comments from regional interests reflect substantial differences of opinion over how the Bonneville Power Administration should proceed with its proposal to finance the future costs of salmon recovery. Tribes, environmentalists, and the Environmental Protection Agency say Bonneville's approach may not adequately finance the only recovery alternatives that will meet the mandates of the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act. But utilities and industrial customers ... Read More...

3. TRANSITION BOARD EXPLORES STRANDED COST RECOVERY Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2003 (PST)

A final shaping of Transition Board recommendations on "stranded cost" recovery mechanisms for the Bonneville Power Administration will await specifics from the power agency's own proposal for covering its costs during the 2002-2006 rate period. "We're just going to sit tight," said Dick Watson, director of the Northwest Power Planning Council's power planning division. Watson and other staff members presented a revised version of a "contingent cost recovery ... Read More...

4. 1999 MAINSTEM PROJECTS AWAIT FUNDING, RANKING Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2003 (PST)

One certainty faces those setting the agenda for the 1999 Columbia River mainstem capital construction program aimed at salmon recovery -- some of the desired projects will go unfunded. The multi-agency System Configuration Team is charged with ranking those projects, with the highest ranking going to those considered most critical to restoring Basin salmon and steelhead species. But members of a House-Senate conference committee this month are wrangling over the amount that will ... Read More...

5. DREW GAUGES DRAWDOWN IMPACT ON IRRIGATION Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2003 (PST)

Preliminary numbers finding their way out of the Drawdown Regional Economic Workgroup indicate that breaching Lower Snake dams could result in $158 million in direct costs to irrigators. DREW has come up with estimated costs of various activities that would be needed to implement drawdown or breaching of the four dams. Among those activities are the costs to modify groundwater wells and pumping systems, purchasing irrigated land, and establishing cattle watering corridors. Other ... Read More...

6. JUDGE TO RULE ON MONTANA RESERVOIR OPERATIONS Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2003 (PST)

A federal judge plans to issue a summary judgment on Montana's lawsuit over dam operations after hearing opening arguments this week. Both sides in the case had requested a summary ruling from Magistrate Leif Erickson. "The judge says he has everything he needs before him to rule," said Tim Hall, an attorney for the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. "I don't think there will be any sort of trial, because he has the facts he needs and it ... Read More...

7. TRIBES CONTINUE FISHING FOR CHINOOK ALLOCATION Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2003 (PST)

Columbia River fish run totals are being monitored closely as tribal and sport fishers each try to catch their fair share of salmon and steelhead while staying within federally-prescribed limits on allowable impacts to species listed under the Endangered Species Act. Last week the Columbia River Compact endorsed a tribal commercial fishery from Sept. 15-19 above Bonneville Dam. A six-mile-long sanctuary is in place on the Washington side of the river to protect spawning ... Read More...

8. NMFS' 1999 DECISION PROCESS GROUP KEPT ALIVE Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2003 (PST)

It's not often that a committee offers to disband - but the Decision Process Coordinating Group did, and its offer was rejected. "Do we still need this group?" asked consultant and coordinating group facilitator Ed Sheets at the September 10 meeting of the Implementation Team, a multi-agency policy group set up by the National Marine Fisheries Service. "There are lots of reasons to dissolve it - it has accomplished the tasks it was set. But you also might want to ... Read More...

9. WARM SPRINGS TRIBES DRAFT FISH MANAGEMENT PLAN Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2003 (PST)

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs are working on a draft Deschutes River basin fish management plan that it will incorporate into its relicensing bid for three Deschutes River dams. The plan encompasses the Deschutes River basin in its entirety, including 80 of the river's main reaches and tributaries, and is much broader than what is needed for relicensing. Jack Donaldson, consultant for the Warm Springs tribes, says management of the river will focus on a scientific ... Read More...

10. COUNCIL POISED TO DECIDE PROJECT FUNDING Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2003 (PST)

The Northwest Power Planning Council will consider last-minute arguments and staff recommendations next week before making its own recommendations on 1999 fish and wildlife direct program project funding. The Council convenes Tuesday and Wednesday in Whitefish, Mont. Chief among the agenda items will be consideration of a final list of projects it will request the Bonneville Power Administration to fund. According to a federal Memorandum of Agreement that runs through 2001, $127 ... Read More...

11. KITZHABER ISSUES SALMON EXECUTIVE ORDER Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2003 (PST)

Though his attempt to ward off an endangered species listing with preventative medicine was rebuffed by a federal court, Oregon's governor, Dr. John Kitzhaber, intends to plunge ahead with the state's own remedies for restoring wild salmon and trout to sustainable, productive health. A draft executive order now under review reaffirms the state's intention to play a leading role in maintaining and restoring Oregon Coast coho and other salmonids through the implementation of the Oregon ... Read More...