Recent Salmon and Fish news on April 6, 1998

A Coho

Salmon Along the Pacific Coast
{Three Sovereigns Briefings.
Hatchery Egg Agreement.
Draft Biological Opinion for Steelhead Trout.
Bristol Bay Salmon Fishery.
Flow Augmentation Study.
Salmon Control Plan Recognition.
1998 Commercial and Sport Salmon Fishery.
Salmon and Steelhead ESA Listings.
Lottery Proceeds for Salmon Habitat Initiative.
Elk Creek Dam.
WA Salmon Restoration.
Private Landowners and Salmon MOU.
Independent Scientific Review Panel Reports.

Pacific Salmon Treaty.
Oregon Coho Salmon Restoration.
Aquaculture and Aquaria
Cormorant Control.
Freshwater Fisheries
Westslope Cutthroat Trout Lawsuit.
FY1999 Budget Hearing.
Lake Washington Fish Kill.
Sport Fish Restoration Program.
Marine Fisheries
{Investigation of NMFS.
Sand Disposal Lawsuit.
FY1999 Budget Hearings.
Ocean Stewardship Resolution.

The following weekly news summary was compiled by the Congressional Research Service.

Cleve Steward

Sustainable Fisheries Foundation

Tel. 425-670-3584

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New info and changes since 3/27/98 are bracketed {...}

New info and changes since 4/1/98 double bracketed {{...}}

Salmon Along the Pacific Coast

{{Savage Rapids Dam.

On Mar. 31, 1998, the OR Water Resources Commission decided to cancel a 1994 additional water permit for the Grants Pass Irrigation District because the District had not acted as directed by the Commission on removing the Dam, which prevents coho salmon from reaching upstream spawning habitat in the Rogue River drainage. The Commission's action sends this case to a hearings officer for review before a final commission decision, likely in November 1998.}} [Assoc Press]

{Three Sovereigns Briefings.

In late March 1998, nine delegates from the Pacific northwest were scheduled to arrive in Washington, DC, to brief congressional staff on a regional plan for a "Three Sovereigns Fish and Wildlife Governance Process" to oversee salmon recovery in the Columbia River basin. The three "sovereigns" include 1) four Pacific northwest states; 2) 13 Columbia basin tribes; and 3) the federal government. Two versions of a draft agreement on this Process will be introduced at a series of public hearings in the four Pacific northwest states, beginning Apr. 8, 1998.} [Assoc Press]

Hatchery Egg Agreement.

On Mar. 26, 1998, OR state officials and the Nez Perce Tribe reached a court-ordered agreement allowing the tribal biologists to rear 800,000 eggs from returning hatchery steelhead trout for supplementing natural steelhead production in the Imnaha River drainage, OR. OR state biologists were concerned that such a hatchery program could harm natural steelhead stocks and wanted the returning hatchery steelhead trout destroyed. [Assoc Press]

Draft Biological Opinion for Steelhead Trout.

On Mar. 20, 1998, NMFS released a draft biological opinion for steelhead trout to state and tribal managers, calling for increased water spills at dams to assist downstream migration of juvenile fish and continuing a "spread the risk" approach by barging some juvenile fish downstream. A new flow regime for the Mid-Columbia Reach would be set at 135,000 cubic feet per second.

On Mar. 23, 1998, Bonneville Power Administration officials reported that the new plan would cost BPA $15 million per year in lost power generation and transmission revenues. [Assoc Press, Dow Jones News]

Bristol Bay Salmon Fishery.

On Mar. 19, 1998, the U.S. Dept. of Commerce released $7 million in assistance for Bristol Bay and Kuskokwim River fishermen hurt by the low 1997 salmon harvest. The AK state legislature has not yet approved the $2.3 million in matching funds agreed to. [Assoc Press]

Flow Augmentation Study.

On Mar. 16, 1998, a consortium of northwest water user groups reported that a white paper report completed for their group indicated that flow augmentation to benefit fish may have substantial consequences for non-fisheries water users, including inability to maintain land in productive agriculture and increased costs for irrigated agriculture.

In addition, the report found no statistical correlation between flow levels and spring chinook survival in the Snake River, and determined that NMFS target flows cannot be met in late summer even if no water is used for irrigation. The report also suggested an experimental use of about 500,000 acre-feet of Snake River water from above Brownlee Reservoir supplemented by a maximum of 1 million acre-feet from Dworshak Reservoir to benefit fall chinook salmon migration and water temperature control. The report also suggested that implementation of efficiency measures, water transfers, and development of new water storage projects could benefit both fish and other interests. [Assoc Press]

Salmon Control Plan Recognition.

On Mar. 16, 1998, the National Food Processors Association (NFPA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the northwest salmon processing industry were presented the Hammer Award, given by the office of Vice President Albert Gore, for their successful partnership in the Salmon Control Plan. This Plan, a voluntary partnership among participants, was established to enhance the safety and wholesomeness of salmon products, and resulted in industry compliance with FDA regulations years before their effective date. [NFPA press release]

1998 Commercial and Sport Salmon Fishery.

On Mar. 14, 1998, the Pacific Fishery Management Council approved three options for further discussion on 1998 commercial and sport salmon fishing regulations. Two of the options would limit catches to 16,000 to 25,000 coho salmon and 8,000 to 12, 000 chinook salmon. The third option would prohibit all salmon harvest. After public comment, the Council will select the preferred option at April 1998 meetings. [Assoc Press]

Salmon and Steelhead ESA Listings.

On Mar. 13, 1998, NMFS announced that steelhead trout will be listed as threatened species in the lower Columbia River basin and in CA's Central Valley. NMFS declined to list steelhead trout in three other regions -- the OR coast (including the Umpqua River), the Klamath Mountains Province (including the Rogue, Klamath, and Smith Rivers), and the northern CA coast (including the Mad, Eel, and Mattole Rivers) -- and placed them in "candidate species" status. [Assoc Press, Dow Jones News, Reuters, Wall Street Journal, NOAA press release]

Lottery Proceeds for Salmon Habitat Initiative.

On Mar. 11, 1998, an environmental coalition filed a proposed initiative measure for the November 1998 OR state ballot with the OR Secretary of State's office, that would require that 15% of state lottery proceeds (an estimated $45 million) be split equally between state parks and salmon and other wildlife habitat protection.

To appear on the ballot, petitioners must acquire about 97,000 signatures by July 2, 1998. [Assoc Press]

Elk Creek Dam.

On Mar. 10, 1998, Corps of Engineers officials announced that the proposed notching of Elk Creek Dam in the Rogue River basin of southern OR has been postponed due to lack of funding. Notching of the uncompleted project had been proposed to provide upstream passage for adult coho salmon and steelhead trout. [Assoc Press]

WA Salmon Restoration.

On Mar. 10, 1998, the WA House concurred unanimously with Senate-passed legislation (HB2496) providing $45 million to promote recovery of wild salmon populations in WA by identifying and rehabilitating salmon habitat. This measure also creates a special office under the governor to direct and coordinate salmon recovery efforts. The House also concurred with Senate amendments to HB2514, to increase public input on water allocation decisions.

On Mar. 19, 1998, Governor Locke signed state legislation creating a five-county board to protect threatened lower Columbia River wild steelhead trout in southwest WA.

On Mar. 19, 1998, WA state officials released a draft plan for protection and recovery of lower Columbia River wild steelhead trout.

{{On Apr. 1, 1998, WA Governor Gary Locke signed a package of seven bills into state law related to salmon, including measures creating a Governor's Salmon Recovery Office, a framework for salmon habitat restoration, a scientific review panel for salmon recovery plans, a streamlined permit process for volunteer salmon restoration projects, a required marking program to distinguish hatchery chinook salmon, and a program for planting salmon eggs in streams where wild salmon have disappeared. Together, these measures provide about $36 million for salmon protection and restoration activities.}} [Assoc Press]

Private Landowners and Salmon MOU.

On Mar. 5, 1998, WA Governor Locke and representatives of 6 federal agencies signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a means of providing and promoting coordinated access to endangered and threatened salmon recovery assistance for private landowners, including state and federal funding for habitat rehabilitation on private land. [Assoc Press]

Independent Scientific Review Panel Reports.

On Mar. 4, 1998, the Northwest Power Planning Council's Independent Scientific Review Panel released a report critical of increased reliance on the practice of transporting juvenile salmon downstream in trucks and barges. The Panel was especially critical of truck transport, describing the practice as based on economics rather than on biology. Instead the panel endorsed continued adherence to a "spread-the-risk" policy of using both barge transport and increased river flows to speed juvenile salmon downstream. {In late March 1998, the Independent Scientific Review Panel released a draft report on Snake River spring-summer chinook salmon, weighing the relative merits of breaching dams and barging fish.} [Assoc Press]

Pacific Salmon Treaty.

On Mar. 4, 1998, AK fisheries officials announced that the Pacific Salmon Commission's Northern Boundary Technical Committee was undertaking a joint U.S.-Canadian study of coho salmon, to determine appropriate management for weak Skeena River, BC, stocks.

On Mar. 9, 1998, Canadian officials announced the appointment of Canada's new chief negotiator -- Donald McRae, an international law expert and dispute settlement as well as current chair of business and trade law at the Univ. of Ottawa.

On Mar. 10, 1998, U.S. officials announced the appointment of Roberts Owen, an attorney experienced in dispute resolution, as chief U.S. negotiator for the Pacific Salmon Treaty.

On Mar. 10, 1998, BC Premier Glen Clark and WA Governor Gary Locke met and agreed to work constructively to achieve an agreement on salmon.

In mid-March 1998, the Yukon River Panel announced the approval of 29 king (chinook) and chum salmon habitat restoration projects for funding in Alaska and Canada's Yukon Territory. A total of about $670,000 was provided for AK projects.

On Mar. 19, 1998, President Clinton announced his intent to appoint James Pipkin of Bethesda, MD, as U.S. Federal Commission to the Pacific Salmon Commission. Mr. Pipkin serves as special negotiator for the Pacific Salmon Treaty, and directs the Dept. of the Interior's Office of Policy Analysis. On Mar. 23, 1998, Canadian Minister of Fisheries David Anderson released a report critical of arguments by some U.S. managers that "pasturage" of salmon may affect the rights to their harvest. {On Mar. 31, 1998, U.S. and Canadian negotiators (six for each nation) began two days of preliminary discussions in Washington, DC.} [Assoc Press, Reuters, White House press release]

Oregon Coho Salmon Restoration.

On Mar. 4, 1998, the OR Dept. of Forestry held a hearing on proposals submitted by NMFS on Feb. 17, 1998, with timber industry officials testifying that the proposed changes would devastate their operations. [Assoc Press]

Aquaculture and Aquaria

Chilean Salmon.

On Mar. 12, 1998, a forum, entitled "Fresh Perspectives: A Look at the Salmon Trade Case" and sponsored by the Salmon Trade Alliance, was held at the International Boston Seafood Show, to discuss the trade dispute between the United States and Chile over fresh farmed Atlantic salmon. [Dow Jones News]

Cormorant Control.

On Mar. 4, 1998, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a final rule in the Federal Register allowing commercial aquaculture operations to take double-crested cormorants without a Federal migratory bird permit to protect aquaculture stocks. However, any required state permits must be obtained and state regulations must be followed. Lethal control activities can occur only after the FWS has certified that an aquaculture facility has a cormorant depredation problem and that lethal take is necessary to supplement non-lethal harassment. [Fed. Register]

Freshwater Fisheries

{{Whirling Disease Research Funding.

On Apr. 1, 1998, the National Partnership on the Management of Wild and Native Cold Water Fisheries (Bozeman, MT) announced the awarding of $320,000 in federal grants to fund 11 research projects relating to the study of whirling disease at five universities in MT, CA, OR, and CO.}} [Assoc Press]

Westslope Cutthroat Trout Lawsuit.

In mid-March 1998, a coalition of five MT/ID conservation groups filed suit in U.S. District Court against the U.S.

Dept. of the Interior, seeking to force listing of the westslope cutthroat trout under the Endangered Species Act. The groups seek to force the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to act on a petition filed in May 1997 to list this species as threatened. [Assoc Press]

FY1999 Budget Hearing.

On Mar. 11, 1998, the House Committee on Appropriations' Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies held a hearing on the proposed FY1999 budget for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

[personal communication]

Lake Washington Fish Kill.

On Mar. 10, 1998, boaters on WA's Lake Washington reported 200-300 dead and dying fish, likely peamouth chub, at several locations. Concern was expressed that the initiation of joint U.S.-Canadian earthquake research, the Seismic Hazards Investigations in Puget Sound (SHIPS) project, using airguns. The project started on Lake Washington on this date, reportedly the first time large airguns have been used in freshwater ecosystems. [Assoc Press]

Sport Fish Restoration Program.

On Mar. 3, 1998, the House Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans held a hearing on H.R. 2973, proposing to amend the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act.

On Mar. 5, 1998, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that a total of $272,028,441 in 1997 excise tax revenues had been distributed to states under the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration (Dingell-Johnson/Wallop-Breaux) Program. This was slightly less than the $273.2 million distributed last year.

On Mar. 12, 1998, the U.S. Senate approved S. 1173, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1997, as amended to authorize the transfer of non-highway motor fuel tax revenues for use by the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program through the end of FY2003 and to include modified language of H.R. 2973, the Sportfishing and Boating Improvement Act of 1997. [Fish and Wildlife Service press release, personal communication, Congr. Record]

Marine Fisheries

Ocean Summit. A {National Ocean Conference} on ocean and coastal issues has been scheduled for {June 11-12, 1998,} at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. The event is being jointly organized by the Dept. of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Navy. [Assoc Press, NOAA press release]

{Investigation of NMFS.

On Mar. 31, 1998, the AK Marine Conservation Council wrote a letter asking the U.S. Dept. of Commerce's Inspector General to investigate NMFS for alleged mismanagement of fisheries. The Council accuses NMFS of emphasizing short-term harvest goals in the North Pacific ahead of long-term conservation goals. The Council is particularly concerned with possible interactions between fishery harvest and Steller sea lions.} [Assoc Press]

Sand Disposal Lawsuit.

On Mar. 23, 1998, two Pacific northwest fishermen's groups filed suit in U.S. District Court, seeking an injunction to force the Army Corps of Engineers to dump several million cubic yards of sand dredged from the lower Columbia River further offshore than currently planned. The fishermen's groups contend the proposed dumping will damage productive crab habitat and fisheries. [Assoc Press]

FY1999 Budget Hearings.

On Mar. 18, 1998, the House Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans held an oversight hearing on the FY1999 budget requests of NOAA and NMFS. The House Committee on Appropriations' Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and Judiciary has scheduled a hearing for Mar. 19, 1998, on the proposed FY1999 budget for NOAA and NMFS. [personal communication]

Ocean Stewardship Resolution.

On Mar. 12, 1998, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved a substitute amendment to H.Con.Res. 131, a sense of Congress resolution acknowledging the importance of the ocean and U.S. responsibility to exercise and promote stewardship of ocean resources. [personal communication]