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Methow Valley News December 9, 1999 Endangered Species Coverage "4H" working paper challenges political leaders By Lee Hicks National Marine Fisheries Services, as a lead agency in the "federal caucus" of nine agencies addressing fish recovery efforts, released on Nov. 16 a list of options to a long-awaited "4H" approach for harvest, hatcheries, habitat and hydro (or dams). A final report of the $20 million study along with a draft environmental impact statement is set for release this month. Earlier this year, NMFS officials said that breaching of four dams on the lower Snake River would be the quickest way to assure recovery of endangered fish. However, recent statements by the agency appear to indicate it and other agencies are backing away from making a recommendation on dam breaching. The strategy, according to some reports would put the pressure on the Northwest congressional delegation and state leaders to help choose among several "integrated alternatives" for fish recovery. Public hearings on the 4-H paper will begin earlier in the year with a decision expected by May of 2000. The 4H decisions will likely affect the continued development of endangered fish species plans for the Methow Valley, and the News will be publishing the complete text of the 4-H working paper. Options Outlined in Four-H Working Paper Options for Habitat Option 1: Make modest improvements to protect and restore habitat, primarily through increased federal coordination and federal money. Option 2: Increase the efforts of state, tribal and local governments. Increase federal funding of habitat improvements, particularly by tying funds to water-quality compliance efforts. Option 3: Increase regulation by federal agencies on non-federal land, if state and local governments are unable to ensure adequate habitat restoration programs. Options for Harvest Option 1: Implement the recently completed Pacific Salmon Treaty. Hold harvest at 1999 levels with modest increases if fish populations go up. Option 2: Implement the treaty. Hold in-river harvest rates at the 1999 level until recovery goals are reached. Option 3: Implement the treaty. Further reduce harvest to "crisis levels" for 10 years and then shift to Option 1 or 2. Options for Hatcheries Option 1: Continue current mix of production for harvest and for boosting the number of wild fish. Option 2: Continue production for harvest purposes and increase production of wild stocks. Option 3. Substantially decrease production for harvest and increase production of wild stocks. Options for Hydropower Option 1: Continue present path of making improvements to the system. Option 2: Substantially increase investment in physical improvements to the hydropower system. Option 3: Breach the dams that block salmon passage in the Snake River. Sample of Integrated Alternatives Alternative A (Dam Removal) Hydro Option 3: Breach lower Snake dams. Habitat Option 1: Increase federal program coordination. Hatcheries Option 1: Continue currently planned programs. Harvest Option 1: Increase harvest during recovery. Alternative B (Harvest Constraints) Hydro Option 1: Continue currently planned programs. Habitat Option 1: Increase federal program coordination. Harvest Option 3: Increase conservation production; substantially decrease fish for harvest. Harvest Option 3: Further restrict harvest for 10 years. Alternative C (Aggressive Non-breaching) Hydro Option 3: Aggressively increase non-breaching efforts. Habitat Option 2: Coordinate regional efforts. Hatcheries Option 2: Increase conservation programs. Harvest Option 2: Hold in-river harvests at 1999 levels. Alternative D (Maximum Protection) Hydro Option 3: Breach lower Snake dams. Habitat Option 3: Increase federal regulation. Hatcheries Option 3: Increase conservation production; reduce production for harvest. Harvest Option 3: Increase harvest cutbacks.
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