The Northwest Power and Conservation Council released a draft revision of the largest regional fish and wildlife recovery program in the nation.

The program directs more than $250 million per year to mitigate the impacts of hydropower dams on fish and wildlife in the basin.

The Council revises the program every five years, and the current draft has been under development since the summer of 2013.

The Council developed the draft program based on public recommendations, particularly those of fish and wildlife agencies and Indian tribes. In addition to protecting ecosystems and wild fish, the draft program includes these key points:

► Give greater attention to salmon and steelhead passage into blocked areas, notably above Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams

► Give greater attention to reducing toxics and eradicating invasive species

► Focus on repairing aging structures and equipment related to projects that implement the program

► Pursue a targeted project-selection process for emerging priority fish and wildlife issues

The Council will conduct public hearings throughout the Northwest beginning late this month and continuing into June.

Comments are due July 9, 2014.

There will be a hearing in Spokane on Monday, June 16:

5-6 pm
Red Lion River Inn
Shoreline B Room
700 N Division
Spokane, WA 99202

Click Here for more information, including links to the draft document.

Final Approved Letter, Submitted 2 July, 2014