Recommendation 14
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March 30, 2000

Mr. Mark Walker
Northwest Power Planning Council
851 SW Sixth Avenue
Suite 1100
Portland, OR 97204

Subject: Fish and Wildlife Amendments

Dear Mr. Walker:

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on your organization's fish & wildlife amendments. Your program has been instrumental in the mitigation for hydropower projects in the northwest and you should be very proud of the accomplishments to date.

As you know, southwest Idaho, southeastern Oregon and portions of northern Nevada once had magnificent runs of salmon and steelhead. Our organization feels the mitigation from dam construction is important to provide fishing opportunities that were lost.

The goal for the middle Snake River ecological province should be to establish sustainable fisheries in the steams and impoundments. Unfortunately, many of our streams are water quality impaired and lack adequate flows during critical periods of the year.

We would like to provide the following comments regarding updating of the fish and wildlife amendments:

1. Some dams in the middle Snake River province have no minimum stream flows below the impoundments. Most of these facilities are simply closed off following the irrigation season. Some of these dams have a little leakage which keeps the fish alive but the habitat is so reduced it is extremely harmful to the population. Other facilities do not have leakage enough for any fish survival below the dams.

The amendments should provide for the purchase of water rights which can be lawfully transferred to minimum stream flows which benefit fish during the non-irrigation season. The amount of water obtained should not exceed the minimum flow recommend from the state fish and wildlife agency. These water rights should be held by an entity, such as the state fish & wildlife agency, which will guarantee the rights will continue to be held for the benefits of the fish.

 2. Restocking of reservoirs is expensive and is an annual commitment. The amendments should encourage improvements which allow for natural recruitment of the fishery. The program should provide funding for tributary improvements such as conservation easements, fencing, habitat improvement, etc. Any improvement should be legally protected through an easement or similar instrument.

3. Nutrient and sediment loading in some reservoirs is a major problem. The program should provide limited funding for decreasing certain nutrient and sediment sources. We are recommending a 50% cost share for programs such as: (1) installation of new vault toilets around reservoirs; (2) sediment control from parking lots, boat ramps and other reservoir access points; (3) restrictive easements and fencing to keep livestock from the reservoirs and important spawning areas; and (4) erosion control structures placed in highly erosive areas.

4. Springs and associated riparian areas are the major water source to small streams where recruitment occurs. They are also very important to wildlife species such as sage grouse and song birds. Many of these springs and riparian areas are severely degraded due to livestock grazing. Protection and recovery of springs and riparian areas should be a high priority. The amendments should provide for purchase, protective easements, fencing materials and transplant vegetation to recover these important areas.

 Thank you again for allowing us to comment on your program. If you have any questions, please call me at 208-336-8513.

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