Even as a multi-species framework development process begins, its guiding
principles and so-called scientific "foundation" has been targeted
for a rewrite.

In a recently completed review, the Independent Scientific Advisory
Board praised the intent but also offered suggestions for fine-tuning and
focusing the ecosystem principles and foundation for fish and wildlife
restoration in the Columbia River Basin.

"I view them as pretty positive comments," said Chip ...

Project officials pointed to success suggested by preliminary results
of 1998 prototype surface bypass technology testing at Lower Granite Dam
and elsewhere.

But a National Marine Fisheries critique that followed was less than
glowing.

Corps of Engineers and Chelan County Public Utility District officials
gathered in Portland Wednesday to update the Independent Scientific Advisory
Board on surface bypass development projects. The ISAB is amidst a congressionally
mandated ...

Global warming will bring more rainfall to the Northwest, but it will
fall earlier in the winter and less of it will end up as snowpack. The
spring runoff will occur earlier and the normal drought that follows
winter in the Northwest will last longer resulting in very low summer
stream flows.

A meeting of Columbia Basin fish and wildlife recovery's analytical
minds was called this week to sort through the varied methods,
assumptions and conclusions now being produced that are intended to
eventually inform the region's decision makers.