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[This brochure was created in 1999 to explain the Council's project selection processes.] Selecting Salmon and Other How Government Agencies Save Species and Money You may not be aware of it, but in the Pacific Northwest, there's a cooperative, coordinated, comprehensive and accountable process for deciding what gets done to save salmon and other fish and wildlife. Through the Northwest Power Planning Council (an agency of the four Northwest states), the Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Authority (an agency of the region's state, tribal and federal fish and wildlife managers), and the Bonneville Power Administration, the Northwest reviews, selects and implements hundreds of publicly funded projects designed to protect and restore fish and wildlife populations affected by the development of federal dams on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Sorting through and carrying out these recovery efforts is a difficult and complex task because there's unlimited work that could be done but limited dollars to do it with. Making sure the money we spend truly helps fish and wildlife is the top concern. This brochure is designed to explain ? step by step ? how it's done. On the back, you'll find information about how to learn more about each step. here's a little background information to get you started? Background Salmon and other fish and wildlife are an important part of the Northwest's heritage. Everyone wants to see healthy populations of fish and wildlife today and for future generations. In addition, the United States has treaties with Indian tribes that reserved the tribes? rights to fish in the river. The United States and Canada also have a treaty that commits us to rebuild Columbia River salmon runs. To live up to our commitments to Canada and the region's original residents, we have to find a way save the species that have been affected by dams and other development. that's where the Bonneville Power Administration comes in. Bonneville is a federal agency that markets the electricity produced from the federal dams in the Columbia River Basin. A portion of the money Bonneville earns from selling electricity is dedicated to projects designed to protect and enhance salmon and other fish and wildlife populations. Under a 1995 agreement among the federal government, the region's tribes and Bonneville, the current fish and wildlife budget allocates approximately $127 million annually to these projects (about 3 percent of Bonneville's average annual revenues of approximately $3 billion). Because Bonneville is a federal agency, the project money must be allocated in a public process. How the money is used will help determine the future of the Northwest's salmon and other fish and wildlife, and potentially, the size of your electricity bill. So, take a few minutes to review the decision-making process. After all, it's your fish and wildlife, your money and your river.
The Power Planning Council and the Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Program Before you can pick specific projects for fish and wildlife, you need a plan. The Northwest Power Planning Council is the agency that creates the plan. The Council works with tribal, federal, state, regional and local governments; as well as industry, environmental groups and interested citizens to define the region's overall goals and develop a framework for steps the region could take to create a river basin that supports both humans and fish and wildlife. The most recent plan was adopted in December 1994, after a lengthy series of consultations with experts, and a whole series of public meetings, hearings and deliberations. All the specific projects paid for with money from the Bonneville Power Administration must be consistent with the plan. To ensure that the plan is based on the most up-to-date information, it is reviewed at least once every five years. The Council currently is considering ways to update the 1994 plan. Once the goals and regional framework are in place, the region's fish and wildlife managers and the public suggest measures to help the region meet its fish and wildlife goals. How the region acts on the measures is explained in the steps below.
Fish and wildlife managers and the public propose projects The region's fish and wildlife managers, through the Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Authority, are responsible for developing criteria for reviewing and prioritizing specific projects designed to meet the requirements of the region's fish and wildlife plan. Once the managers? criteria are developed, they are reviewed and approved by the Power Planning Council. Then, Bonneville solicits project proposals from fish and wildlife agencies, universities, local governments and others. CBFWA, the Council, Bonneville, Trout Unlimited and the Public Power Council also sponsor a public review of proposed projects. The review gives the public a chance to hear what projects are being proposed and helps refine the process of prioritizing our fish and wildlife efforts. During the 1996 prioritization effort, more than 400 proposals totaling some $270 million were submitted for possible funding. The managers had $127 million to work with. Deciding which projects to recommend for funding is a complex, difficult task requiring hundreds of hours of staff time. Once the managers make the tough choices regarding the highest priority projects, they forward their recommendations to the Power Planning Council and to a group of independent scientists called the Independent Scientific Review Panel for additional review.
Independent Scientific Review Ensures Projects Are Sound Based on a recent amendment to the Northwest Power Act, the Northwest Power Planning Council uses an 11-member panel of independent scientists to review the fish and wildlife recovery projects recommended by the Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Authority. All 11 scientists were nominated for the panel by the National Academy of Sciences. The panel will ensure that the Council obtains sound, objective scientific input into its decisions about fish and wildlife recovery measures in the Columbia River Basin and that public funds are used for only the most credible projects. The Independent Scientific Review Panel reviews the projects to ensure they are: Consistent with the Council's fish and wildlife program; Based on sound science principles; Benefit fish and wildlife; Have clearly defined objectives and outcomes with provisions for monitoring and evaluating results.
Ensuring the Public Has a Voice in Fish and Wildlife Projects Following the scientific review, the Council analyzes the recommended projects, conducts public consultations and invites public comments on the projects themselves and on the scientific review. Public review and comment is an important element of the project selection process. During 1996, for example, the Council received comments from parties as diverse as the Public Power Council, the Columbia River Alliance, Oregon Trout and Bonneville. The Council will accept public comments for at least 30 days after receiving the managers? recommendations. This is a very important step that helps ensure project effectiveness. The Council summarizes public comments for the fish and wildlife managers who will have about a month to review the comments and make any changes. The managers may change their recommended project priorities in response.
Getting the Most for the Public's Money The Northwest Power Planning Council must determine whether the proposed projects are cost-effective. The Council conducts its own analysis, and also established an Independent Economic Analysis Board to provide advice on and improve cost analysis of fish and wildlife recovery measures. The panel's advice helps the Council conduct annual cost-effectiveness reviews of the proposed projects. The Economics Board members have substantial experience in the areas of: Natural resource economics and policy; Irrigation and agricultural economics; Water use and policy; River transportation economics; Fishery economics and policy, local-area economic impact assessment; Non-market valuation of natural resources; Electricity system configuration and economics; and; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project evaluation. Combined with the scientific review, the cost-effectiveness review helps ensure that public dollars are spent wisely and that the expenditures produce positive biological results and that successful projects are continued and unsuccessful projects are improved or concluded.
After Council Approval, Bonneville Writes Contracts for Work When the Council is satisfied that the projects are consistent with the goals and objectives of the fish and wildlife program, are based on sound science principles, employ cost-effective measures are consistent with ocean conditions, and have been thoroughly reviewed by the public, it recommends that Bonneville fund them. It is important to note that although the Council makes recommendations to Bonneville on which projects to fund, Bonneville has sole authority to select project contractors, define the scope of work and to negotiate budgets and contract terms. Bonneville employs a staff of contract officers and project managers to write, oversee and manage individual projects recommended by the Council.
Ongoing Project Reviews Ensure Accountability Although Bonneville has sole authority to oversee the contracting and management of individual projects, the Council has an interest in monitoring the implementation of its fish and wildlife plan. For this reason, the Council periodically selects projects for additional scrutiny. What do all of these processes, checks and re-checks really do? They make sure that the real beneficiaries of our dollars are the fish and wildlife that need help. In fact, just last year the Council used the process to save hundreds of thousands of dollars on a few projects and to re-direct those savings to other worthwhile efforts. it's a matter of making sure we get the most and best results out of a limited amount of money. So the next time you read about a new project for fish and wildlife in the Columbia Basin, you can feel comfortable that the project is a good value for us and for the environment. Fish and Wildlife Experts Lead Project Process The Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Authority The Authority's participating members are the: -National Marine Fisheries Service To get more information about the Authority: Giving the Public a Voice in Saving Salmon and Other Species Provide Your Opinion at a Meeting Near You The Federal Role in Funding Species Recovery The Bonneville Power Administration If you have questions about Bonneville's role in the fish and
wildlife project selection, contracting and management process, you can: In addition, Bonneville keeps a complete list of current and past project contractors, project costs and other information. Sign Up For More Information If you would like to receive occasional updates about the fish and wildlife project selection process, fill out this form and return it by mail to the Power Planning Council. Write to us at 851 S.W. Sixth Ave., Suite 1100, Portland, OR, 97204, attention Public Affairs Division. We'll add your name to our projects mailing list. Or, you can send the form to us by fax at 503-795-3370, or send the information requested on the form via e-mail. To do so, send a message to . |
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Steps
to Saving Salmon
