The Northwest Power Planning Council Wednesday reluctantly agreed that
extra money is needed to prepare its year 2000 direct fish and wildlife
program work plan.

The Council voted to allow the expenditure of up to $300,000 for extra
time spent by state and tribal fish and wildlife managers in preparing
the Draft Annual Implementation Work Plan. The Council recommendation will
be forwarded to the Bonneville Power Administration, which funds the $127
million Council program.

The ...

No more than a square yard on the ground, and often just a few inches
deep, cultural resource sites around Hungry Horse Reservoir provide a glimpse
into the region's prehistoric past.

There often is nothing more than "scatters" or rock chips,
distinctly created by the hand of ancient man in building a tool, said
Flathead National Forest's archaeologist Tim Light.

Out of 17 sites discovered so far around the reservoir, some have produced
arrowheads, stone knives or other ...

The development of a multi-species framework to guide management of
Columbia Basin fish and wildlife enters a critical stretch with the selection
of policy alternatives expected to be made over the next two weeks.

Also crucial is the pursuit of budget dollars to fund completion of
the work -- estimated to cost $1.7 million. The project, launched last
year by the Northwest Power Planning Council, is expected to culminate
at summer's end with refined biological and social/economic/cultural

The Northwest Power Planning Council and the National Marine Fisheries
Service will jointly host a public meeting February 25 for those who want
to learn more about the work of the scientific group known as PATH (Plan
for Analyzing and Testing Hypotheses).

PATH scientists will answer questions, mostly those submitted in advance,
about their analysis of data and hypotheses concerning salmon survival
in the lower Snake and Columbia rivers. The meeting will run from 9 a.m.
to 3 p.m. ...

Northwest Power Planning Power Council chairman Todd Maddock of Idaho
has announced the chairmanships of the key committees that will guide Council
policies in 1999.

Eric Bloch of Oregon will take over chair of the Fish and Wildlife Committee,
with Stan Grace of Montana, Mike Field of Idaho, and Larry Cassidy of Washington
serving as members.

Former Council chairman John Etchart of Montana will serve as chairman
of the Power Committee, with Maddock, Tom Karier of Washington and ...