March 2004 Issue

Long-Term Funding Agreement for Fish and Wildlife Spending

Summary: Council and BPA work to determine cost estimate of fish and wildlife program by June, and on strategic goals to help define future accomplishments.

Detail: Doug Marker gave an update on efforts to reach a long-term funding agreement with the Bonneville Power Administration for the Council's fish and wildlife program. He reported that this includes determining a cost estimate for the program, and he anticipates this will be completed in June. The estimate will cover the fixed costs of the program.

A meeting is scheduled in mid-March with Council, Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Authority, and Bonneville staff to discuss this. Marker also said they are working on developing a set of broad, strategic goals to help define the accomplishments of the agreement and to resolve policy issues. Working groups will be reporting back to the Council on their efforts. He also said they would work with NOAA Fisheries to make sure the federal biological opinion is integrated with the Council's program.