The following weekly news summary was compiled by the Congressional Research Service from a variety of information sources. New info and changes since 5/3/99 are bracketed {...} New info and changes since 5/6/99 are double-bracketed {{...}}
Cleve Steward Sustainable Fisheries Foundation Tel. 425-670-3584
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On Apr. 28, 1999, President Clinton named Lloyd N. Cutler as Senior Representative on Pacific Salmon, with responsibility for coordinating U.S. strategy on Pacific salmon and liaison between state governors, tribal governments, and Congress as well as assisting U.S.
Negotiator James Pipkin and Deputy Negotiator Larry Rutter. {On May 5, 1999, AK Governor Tony Knowles called on Canada to commit to increased habitat conservation measures ("safe passage") in exchange for harvest concessions by AK.
On May 6, 1999, discussions were to resume between Canadian and U.S. negotiators.} [White House press release, Portland Oregonian, Assoc Press, Reuters]
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On Apr. 28, 1999, Common Sense for Salmon Recovery, a coalition of WA state associations for builders, farmers, and cattlemen, announced that it was filing suit in Washington, DC, federal court against NMFS, contending that recent 1999 salmon listings under the Endangered Species Act relied too much on habitat concerns and not enough on salmon harvest restrictions. The coalition argues that NMFS is wrong in not counting hatchery fish that return to Pacific northwest rivers. [Assoc Press, Seattle Times]
Water Skiing a Threat to Salmon? On Apr. 27, 1999, Mountlake Terrace, WA, officials canceled permission for the International Water Ski Organization's fourth annual competition on Lake Ballinger scheduled for June 1999, fearing internal combustion engines from the boats could degrade water quality and harm chinook salmon. Others fear that sediment suspended by boat motors in the shallow lake harms gravel spawning beds in connected streams. Others suggest salmon cannot migrate upstream to Lake Ballinger because of clogged culverts. [Seattle Times]
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On Apr. 23, 1999, Canadian Fisheries Minister David Anderson was quoted as saying that Canadians have been too rigid in negotiations with the United States over salmon. Mr. Anderson concluded that failure to compromise had disadvantaged Canada. Canadian fishermen claimed the Canadian government was not balancing conservation with the economic needs of fishermen. [Canadian Press]
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On Apr. 21, 1999, a Canadian surveillance flight observed a foreign fishing boat and 10 miles of driftnet in international waters about 420 miles southwest of Attu Island, AK. The U.S.
Coast Guard was notified, and the cutter Rush was dispatched. The vessel Lobana was intercepted and boarded, with 6 tons of coho salmon found onboard. Since the vessel had Russian registration papers, Russian enforcement authorities were notified and arrived to escort the vessel to Russian waters for investigation.
On Apr. 24, 1999, the cutter Rush intercepted and boarded the vessel Ying Fa, where they found 6.2 tons of salmon and 14 nautical miles of driftnet. {{This vessel, with Chinese and Taiwanese crew, was fishing in violation of the United Nations' high seas driftnet moratorium about 350 miles southwest of Attu.
On Apr. 30, 1999, the cutter Storis assumed responsibility for the Ying Fa and escorted the unregistered, "stateless" vessel to Adak, transferring custody to NMFS on May 7, 1999. Astafyevo and IT1326, two additional Russian-registered driftnet vessels, as well as a processing ship were also spotted in late April 1999, and were pursued by Russian enforcement vessels.
On May 3, 1999, the cutter Rush sighted the Russian vessel Tayfun-4 retrieving driftnet 450 miles southwest of Attu. The Tayfun-4 was boarded and held until the Russian patrol vessel Barrs arrived on May 6, 1999, to assume custody.}} [Seattle Times, personal communication, Reuters, Environment News Service, Canadian Press]
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On Apr. 21, 1999, Dept. of Energy engineers unveiled a synthetic, rubber salmon replica crammed with sensors that will be sent through the turbines at McNary Dam in May 1999 to better measure how salmon are affected by passage through hydroelectric facilities. This is part of a 5-year, $8 million program to make hydropower dams more fish-friendly. [Assoc Press]
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On Apr. 19, 1999, Citizens for Natural Habitat, a WA environmental group, filed suit in Snohomish County Superior Court to block the sale of 18 acres of forested land in Lynnwood, WA. The land is scheduled to be developed into a 51-house subdivision if sold. The environmental group contends such action would destroy critical salmon habitat, benefitting threatened chinook salmon downstream in Swamp Creek.} [Seattle Times]
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On Apr. 15, 1999, NMFS released a draft scientific analysis on options for recovery of ESA-listed salmon along the Snake River.
Under certain assumptions, NMFS concludes that drawdown or breaching of the 4 lower Snake River dams may be the most :risk-averse" alternative. However, significant uncertainties are associated with their projections, and the report does not recommend a preferred course of action nor does it reflect a policy decision. The report "An Assessment of Lower Snake River Hydrosystem Alternatives on Survival and Recovery of Snake River Salmonids" is available at http://www.nwr.noaa.gov.
On May 27, 1999, the House Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans has scheduled a hearing on H.Con.Res. 63, expressing the sense of the Congress opposing removal of dams on the Columbia and Snake Rivers for fishery restoration purposes. [NOAA press release, Assoc Press, personal communication]
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On Apr. 14, 1999, Federal District Court Judge Oliver Wanger ruled that San Joaquin Valley farmers right to Central Valley project water are protected as much as fish. Thus the Bureau of Reclamation could begin its 12-year Vernalis Adaptive Management Plan on Apr. 17, 1999, to protect juvenile chinook salmon as long as any farm water taken in excess of the amount set aside for environmental restoration is replaced. Future hearings before Judge Wanger will determine whether this limit has been exceeded. The Vernalis Plan includes reducing water pumping in the south Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta for 31 days in the spring, providing more water in spring to help young chinook salmon migrate downstream, and constructing a temporary barrier in the south delta to prevent salmon from migrating toward pumps. This Plan must still be approved by the State Water Resources Control Board. Under the Plan, water agencies will study salmon migrations under different flow conditions to determine what timing and amounts help fish most. [The Fresno Bee, The Modesto Bee]
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On Apr. 13, 1999, at the invitation of Governor Locke, NMFS officials met with WA Senate and House Committees and noted that the Endangered Species Act leaves NMFS no option but to protect growing number of salmon runs listed under this Act, implying that, unless WA state takes strong action to revise state water law, NMFS is likely to impose stringent measures to protect salmon.
On Apr. 25, 1999, the WA Legislature adjourned, with the bill to rewrite water policy to benefit salmon restoration failing to be enacted. Governor Locke has called for a several-day long special session beginning May 10, 1999, to consider several measures, including one offering timber taxation and regulatory concessions in exchange for modifications of timber harvesting practices to benefit salmon. [Seattle Herald, Seattle Times, Portland Oregonian, Assoc Press]
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On Apr. 10, 1999, Dept. of Energy Secretary Bill Richardson announced a proposal to transfer management of 90,000 acres along the north shore of the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for designation as a National Wildlife Refuge. [DOE press r elease]
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On May 4, 1999, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service published an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking relating to establishing a national program and regulations to better protect the health of farm-raised finfish, assist finfish producers in meeting international trade requirements, and encourage international trade in U.S. aquaculture products. Public comment will be taken until July 6, 1999.} [Fed. Register]
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In late April 1999, Senate Bill 445 cleared the MT legislature and was presented to Governor Marc Racicot for signature. This measure attempts to ease overcrowding of trout fishermen in MT's Beaverhead and Big Hole Rivers by developing long-term recreational plans for the rivers. An amendment specifies that any reductions in use must come first from commercial or non-resident users before reductions are imposed on MT residents. [Assoc Press]
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