See Program Appendices
In 1982, the Northwest Power Planning Council unveiled its Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program. That program turned out to be one of the most important efforts to save a natural resource currently going on in this nation. It is designed to protect and restore the once teeming fish and wildlife populations which have been seriously depleted by hydroelectric development in the Basin.
In many ways, this innovative program is far more than the Council's program. It truly belongs to the people of the Pacific Northwest. As the program developed, the Council heard oral testimony and received written commenlfrom people from all over the region. These included Indian tribes, fish and wildlife agencies and other resource managers, utilities and federal power agencies, environmental groups, scientists, and businesses, as well as private individuals. The Council reviewed and took into account all of this testimony as it developed the program.
Then, a year after the program was adopted, the Council reopened the program for amendment and received 140 proposals from individuals and organizations throughout the region. In addition,the Council staff proposed changes.Once again,the Council went through an intensive public review process. The result is this amended program.
The Council will continue to reopen the program in the future to the people of the North west to allow changes which reflect knowledge gained through study and practice and new scientific technology.Thus,the program will remain vital and effective in its efforts to preserve the Basin's resources. Throughout this process, our goal will be to recognize our debt to the past at the same time we are making an investment in our future.
