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This is the Council's Monthly Spotlight e-newsletter. Each month, you'll receive the latest news from Council meetings, including recent decisions, news from state offices, and updates on energy and the environment.

July 2004 Issue

Bonneville Proposes to Limit Its Sales of Low-cost Power to the Amount Produced by the Existing Generating System

Paul Norman, senior vice president of the Power Business Line, Bonneville Power Administration, presented the agency's proposal (140k PDF) on its future role to the Council. Along with the goal to limit its sales to what the system can supply, he noted that the allocation of the system; residential benefits for investor-owned utilities; allocation of cost; and service to direct service industries are other key long-term issues that Bonneville is focused on resolving. Also see Council recommendations.

Council's Draft Hatchery Report Calls for Major Changes to Basin Hatchery Programs

The Council voted to release its draft Artificial Production Review and Evaluation issue paper for public comment. The report identifies major issues and recommendations for hatchery reform in the Columbia River Basin.

Initial Review of Subbasin Plans Looks Promising

John Ogan, senior counsel, reported to the Council that initial review of the draft subbasin plans by Council staff and the subbasin presentations to the Independent Scientific Review Panel have been going well. Key questions to be addressed have to do with funding, allocation, and selection. Ogan reported that the Regional Coordinating Group will reconvene in August to focus on implementing subbasin plans; maintaining and expanding the stakeholder base; and coordinating subbasin planning with NOAA Fisheries.

Council Recommends a Fiscal Year 2005 Fish and Wildlife Program Budget of $145 Million

The Council recommended adoption of a start-of-year budget (300k PDF) for 2005 of $145 million to support the projects recommended through the provincial review. Although the Council's budget disagrees with the Bonneville Power Administration's FY05 accrual target of $131 million, Council members felt it was important for the legal, policy, and practical requirements of the program to adhere to the staff's budget recommendation.
 

Coming Up

• August 10-12 Council Meeting,
  Montana
• August 12
  Deadline for  subbasin plan public comments

For more, visit www.nwcouncil.org.

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