July 19, 2019 update: The Council invites review and comment on draft amendments to the Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program. The Council is proposing to amend the program this time through the use of an Addendum to the Council's existing 2014 Program. Comments due October 18, 2019.
The Council staff prepared a draft explanation as to how the Council used the recommendations and the comments on recommendations in developing the draft program Addendum. It is available here for informational purposes. The staff believes this document may be useful in helping you develop comments on the draft program Addendum. This is a staff draft document. The Council has not approved this document as an official, final Council explanation.
February 11, 2019 update: The Council closed the formal comment period on the Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program recommendations on February 8. See recommendations and comments.
January 2019 update: The official comment period on the program amendment recommendations ended February 8, 2019. The Council considered whether to extend the comment period due to the partial shutdown of the federal government, but closing the official comment period on the recommendations enables the Council to begin drafting the amended program. However, the Council will continue to receive written and oral public comment on the recommendations as the amendment process continues and provide opportunities for public comment at its regularly scheduled meetings. The Council urges those wishing to submit comment on the recommendations but hindered by the government shutdown to do so as soon as possible to inform the development of the draft amended program.
Background
The Council invites your review and comment on the recommendations the Council received to amend its 2014 Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program. Please submit your comments on the recommendations no later than February 8, 2019. Consistent with the Northwest Power Act of 1980, the Council develops and periodically amends its fish and wildlife program for the Columbia River Basin to protect and enhance fish and wildlife affected by the development and operation of hydroelectric facilities, while assuring the Pacific Northwest an adequate, efficient, economical, and reliable power supply. The Act requires the Council to call for recommendations to amend the program at least every five years prior to the Council’s review of its regional electric power and conservation plan.
Last May, the Council issued a call for program amendment recommendations. The deadline for submissions was December 13, 2018. The Council now seeks public comment on the recommendations, as required by the Northwest Power Act.
