Congressional update - May 12, 1997

Congressional Update - May 12, 1997

A Newsletter for Congress and Constituents

Council making changes in response to Gorton amendment.

The Council has improved the project prioritization and review process that began in 1995 and was refined by the Council, Bonneville and others in 1996.

For more information:

Mark Walker

Director of Public Affairs

1-800-452-5161

Members of the Independent Scientific Review Panel and the Independent Economic Analysis Board are listed on the Council's Internet web site along with more information about the prioritization process.

Go to: www.nwcouncil.org. Click on Fish and Wildlife Issues.

The Northwest Power Planning Council is working to implement the amendment to the Northwest Power Act (Section 4(h)(10)(D)), which was added last year in the Fiscal Year 1997 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act. Known as the "Gorton amendment" for its primary sponsor, Senator Slade Gorton of Washington, the new section calls on the Council to create an independent panel of scientists to review projects proposed for funding by the Bonneville Power Administration through the Council's Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program.

In January 1997, the Council created the Independent Scientific Review Panel. The Panel has been assigned three major tasks, which respond directly to the amendment: 1) by June 15 of each year, submit recommendations to the Council regarding projects proposed for Bonneville funding; 2) annually review the results of prior-year expenditures and submit these findings to the Council; and 3) oversee the peer review groups to ensure that the above tasks are completed.

At the same time, the Council has improved the project prioritization and review process that began in 1995 and was refined in 1996 by the Council, Bonneville, the Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Authority (which represents fish and wildlife agencies and Indian tribes) and others. There is a four-step process for selecting projects for funding in Fiscal Year 1998:

First, the Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Authority, will prioritize project proposals using criteria approved by the Council.
Second, the Independent Scientific Review Panel will review the proposed projects and the Basin Authority's prioritized list following the guidelines in Section 4(h)(10)(D) and forward its findings to the Council.
Third, the Council will analyze the recommended projects and solicit public comments on them and also on the results of the scientific review. Simultaneously, the Council will call on its panel of nine independent economists, the Independent Economic Analysis Board (IEAB), to assist the Council in its cost-effectiveness review of the projects. As a first step, the Council asked the economists to assist the Council's staff in the development of the cost-effectiveness methodology. The Council may ask the IEAB for assistance in applying the methodology and analyzing the recommended projects.
Fourth, the Council will forward a recommendation to Bonneville for the funding of projects that are based on sound scientific principles, conform to the goals and objectives of the fish and wildlife program, employ cost-effective measures and include adequate provisions for monitoring and evaluating results.

In response to the Gorton amendment, the Council also is exploring ways to include in the prioritization process considerations of the effects of ocean conditions on salmon survival. The Council expects to release a discussion paper regarding this subject after its meeting in Pullman, Washington, on May 13 and 14.

Overall, the Council is taking positive steps to improve coordination, cooperation, scientific and economic review, and public accountability of fish and wildlife recovery projects funded with Bonneville ratepayer money in the Columbia River Basin.