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Methow Valley News August 3, 2000 Endangered Species Coverage "All H" plan announced Dams will stay, habitat in spotlight by Lee Hicks Federal officials have released the much-awaited "All H" plan to address Northwest salmon recovery, and the politically volatile issue of breaching dams has been effectively tabled for the near term. The plan, following dozens of meetings and comment by thousands of groups and individuals, was announced July 27 with fanfare including a presidential radio commentary. A product of the nine-agency "federal caucus," the plan addresses the effects of four factors on salmon recovery—what were at one time known as the "4Hs" of habitat, harvest, hydropower (dams) and hatcheries. Leading the announcement was the National Marine Fisheries Service, the federal agency that has focused on the Methow basin as a key "evolutionary significant unit" for steelhead trout and spring Chinook salmon. NMFS listed both species as endangered in the basin within the past three years. The announcement included the renaming of the "All-H" plan, with the new designation known as a draft Basin-Wide Salmon Recovery Strategy. Also released concurrently was a draft biological opinion by NMFS addressing operations of 29 federal dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers and tributaries. The White House Council on Environmental Quality acting chairman George Frampton said the proposal was based on "the best available science." That terminology is the crux of species protection strategies required by the 1973 Endangered Species Act. Frampton called for support of government, tribal interests and the public, repeating an often-stated slogan that, "extinction is not an option." The sensitive issue of breaching four Snake River dams is put on hold in the plan. Federal agencies will review salmon recovery progress through other measures at five and eight years, and could take steps after eight years to begin plans to remove the dams in 10 years if the effort is failing. Breaching dams, which would require congressional action, has little political support and some observers say the delay gives breathing room to the Clinton administration and presidential campaign of Al Gore. Environmental groups and tribes may go to court to challenge the dam decision, it’s been reported. A summary of the other "Hs" in the plan strategy: Habitat: Efforts will focus on tributaries, such as the Methow basin, as well as mainstems of the Columbia and Snake and estuaries. On "non-federal" land the emphasis will be on streamflows, removal of fish passage barriers, fish screens, water quality, stream buffers and acquisition of habitat "across all lines of ownership." Harvest: The plan concludes that, "harvest rates are now so low for most fish that further reductions will not yield major benefits." Although some "small" benefits might result from further harvest reductions, the plan overview cites treaty fishing rights and the "federal trust obligation" as being more important. Instead, the plan suggests capping harvests at present levels, managing fisheries year-to-year based on abundance and providing increased harvest when it will not affect listed fish. Hatcheries: The plan concludes that "species diversity is reflected in wild fish that are genetically adapted" to their habitat. Agencies managing hatcheries will be required to develop a "hatchery and genetic management plan" that draws from the Northwest Power Planning Council’s artificial production review. Hatcheries would be used for "conservation and supplementation" on an interim basis to avoid extinction of wild fish, to create fishing opportunities that do not harm listed species. In some cases, hatcheries might be operated by tribes to create fisheries that do not compete with listed fish. Hydropower: Although dam breaching is on the sideline, the plan notes it would be reconsidered if other recovery measures falter. Meanwhile, federal agencies will focus on improving flows and spill management, aiding juvenile survival in reservoirs and at dams, enhancing reservoir water quality and reducing fish trucking. Another objective would be to "resolve critical scientific uncertainties," according to the plan overview. The full plan and related summary information is available at the NMFS northwest regional office web site, www.nwr.noaa.gov. Opinion | Sports |
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