Welcome!

This is the Council's Monthly Spotlight e-newsletter. Each month, you'll receive the latest news from Council meetings, including recent decisions, news from state offices, and updates on energy and the environment.

June 2005 Issue

Spring Chinook Salmon Return Update and Summer Chinook Salmon Forecast 

Fish managers from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife briefed (320k PDF) the Council on the 2005 spring Chinook salmon season and the summer Chinook salmon forecast. As of June 15, 100,340 spring Chinook had been counted at Bonneville Dam, less than half the preseason forecast of 254,100. The 10-year average is 160,149. Managers are forecasting a run of 62,400 for summer Chinook, with an escapement goal of 29,000. The allocation for both treaty and non-treaty fisheries, based on the preseason forecast, is 15,150.

Council Approves Recommendations to Improve Hatchery Programs

Council members approved its final report to Congress on all federally funded hatchery programs in the Columbia River Basin. The report includes these recommendations to guide the future use of artificial production:  

• Establish long-term management objectives for hatchery and wild fish consistent with basinwide goals and objectives

• Identify hatchery programs as integrated with wild fish or segregated from them

• Implement essential hatchery reform actions

• Monitor, review, and report on progress

The report and press release provide additional information on hatchery reform efforts and the Council's recommendations.

Implications of Court Ruling on 2004 Federal Biological Opinion

John Shurts, general counsel, briefed the Council on the implications of the recent court ruling invalidating the 2004 Federal Columbia River Power System Biological Opinion. He noted that although the 2004 BiOp has been legally invalidated, it does not automatically invalidate the action agencies' Updated Proposed Actions. He also noted that Judge Redden's opinion that the jeopardy framework is flawed may lead the federal government to rethink its approach.
 

Coming Up

• July 12-14: Council meeting in Portland

For more, visit www.nwcouncil.org.

To unsubscribe, subscribe, or view current or past issues, see our newsletters webpage.
    Have other comments or suggestions? Reply to this email. Thank you.