[ODFW-News] ODFW plays role in historic hydro-electric agreement

[ODFW News]

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 	
Contact: 	Nancy Smogor (541) 388-6363	
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us  Fax: (541) 388-6281
	

For Immediate Release	Tuesday, July 13, 2004
ODFW plays role in historic hydro-electric agreement
Salmon and Steelhead passage to be re-established upstream of dams


SALEM - The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife was one of 22
government agencies and organizations that signed an historic agreement
today that will set the stage for re-licensing the Pelton Round Butte
hydro-electric dam project and will open up the Deschutes River and its
tributaries above the hydro project to salmon and steelhead passage for
the first time since 1968. The project is jointly owned by Portland
General Electric and the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs.

ODFW Director Lindsay Ball described the Pelton Round Butte settlement
agreement process as "a fine example of collaboration between industry,
tribes, regulatory agencies and the public. It balances effective
conservation of fish and wildlife resources with other economic and
social interests of Oregonians."  Marla Rae, chair of the Oregon Fish
and Wildlife Commission, participated in the signing ceremony for ODFW.

 "ODFW's role in the re-licensing agreement has been one of
collaboration with other stakeholders through the re-licensing process
in an effort to minimize effects of project facilities and operations on
fish and wildlife populations and their habitats," said ODFW biologist
Amy Stuart.   Other stakeholders taking part in the process included the
Confederated Tribes of the Warms Springs Reservation of Oregon; federal,
state, and local regulatory agencies, and conservation organizations.

The settlement agreement addresses specific mitigation actions for
numerous aquatic and terrestrial species and their habitats. A major
component of the agreement is a detailed fish passage plan that guides
re-introduction and passage of spring chinook and sockeye salmon and
summer steelhead above the hydro project dams located at river mile 100
on the Deschutes River in central Oregon. Re-establishing these historic
fish runs will help ODFW meet state fish management policies and
objectives. 

ODFW's fish management plans for the upper Deschutes River and its
tributaries include establishing sustainable populations of wild fish in
historic habitats that were formerly blocked by the dams. Fish managers
hope the expanded spawning and rearing habitat will eventually produce
sufficient fish to contribute positively to recreational and tribal
fisheries.

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Information and Education Division
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(503) 947-6002