To Congress and the citizens of the Pacific Northwest:
2004 was an eventful year for the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, with major developments in both fish and wildlife mitigation planning and in power planning. In May, the Council received 59 draft subbasin plans, the result of nearly two years' work by watershed councils, fish and wildlife agencies, Indian tribes and interested citizens throughout the United States portion of the Columbia River Basin. The Council submitted the draft plans to the Independent Scientific Review Panel and also made the plans available for review and comment by the public through mid-August. The Council plans to adopt the plans into the Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program in early Fiscal Year 2005. The plans will guide the solicitation, proposal, review and recommendation of projects to implement the Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program in the future.
Also in 2004, the Council completed work on the draft of its Fifth Northwest Power Plan and released it for public comment. The plan provides analysis of the Northwest power system and guidance for decisionmaking regarding new generating and conservation resources in the wake of the energy crisis of 2000-2001. The plan includes strategies for meeting our region's future requirements for power at the lowest cost and in a manner that reduces the risk of sudden spikes in wholesale power prices like those during the energy crisis.
In 2004, the Council also completed a lengthy public process and made recommendations to the Bonneville Power Administration about its future role in regional power supply to reduce Bonneville's exposure to the volatile wholesale power market and ensure greater financial stability for the agency. The Council provides Northwest citizens an opportunity unique in the nation to participate in and influence regional decisionmaking regarding energy, fish and wildlife. I am pleased to submit to Congress this draft annual report, which provides an overview of the Council's work in Fiscal Year 2004.
Sincerely,
Judi Danielson
Chair, 2004
