 |
1994 Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program |
| Council document 94-55 | |
 |
|
1.7 Water Rights
Congress and the Council recognize that this program must be implemented within a complex scheme for allocating rights to use Columbia River Basin water. As noted in the Northwest Power Act, and in of this program, nothing in this program authorizes appropriation of water, affects rights to water or jurisdictions over water, or establishes the respective rights to water of the federal government, individual states, Indian tribes or individuals. The Council assumes that the federal implementing agencies will work hard to develop cooperative and creative ways to implement the program's water flow measures with those requirements in mind.
The Council will continue to consult with Indian tribes, state water agencies, and the federal project operators and regulators to provide assistance in these matters. The Council is particularly mindful that the states are considering the increasing effects on fish of water diversions in the Columbia and Snake river systems, and taking into account both those effects and this program as they develop their individual water resource management programs.