The governors of the four Northwest states gather in Boise Monday to
discuss a variety of Columbia/Snake River Basin issues.

Phil Batt of Idaho, Marc Racicot of Montana, John Kitzhaber of Oregon
and Gary Locke of Washington are scheduled to convene at 9:30 a.m. Oct.
5 at the Centre on the Grove in downtown Boise.

The governors will first hear a briefing on the activities of the Transition
Board and on the Bonneville Power Administration's ongoing subscription
process. Dick Watson, the

RE: SCT article and Decision Process Coordinating Group article in last
week's Columbia Basin Bulletin

From BOB HEINITH, hydro coordinator for the Columbia Inter-Tribal Fish
Commission:

I find it completely ironic that while the region's fish and wildlife
policy makers are moving toward a multi-species approach through the framework
and Decision Process groups, mid-level, technical, fishery agency managers
and the Corps are continuing to advocate spending the lion's share of the
FY99

A call for comments on prospective Columbia River governance options
drew a wide range of opinions. Now the four Northwest governors and their
staffs will have to decide to what practical use, if any, those opinions
will be applied.

Some suggest the U.S. government, with Canada, should have total control
of river management decisions. Others desire an increase in the states'
authorities. Some say those with the largest economic stake should have
the most input in river governance. ...

If continued prototype testing -- and the eventual installation -- of
extended length screens at John Day Dam climbs the list of mainstem capital
projects proposed for funding, the effort won't get the endorsement of
the Northwest Power Planning Council.

The Council's Fish and Wildlife Committee on Monday advised senior hydrologist
Jim Ruff to "stay the course" during deliberations on project
rankings. Ruff is also co-chair of the multi-agency System Configuration
Team, ...