Bonneville Power Administration, Fish and Wildlife Implementation Plan Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Technical Report · Fri Jun 22 04:00:00 EDT 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/823320· OSTI ID:823320

Despite the efforts of BPA and other regional entities in the Pacific Northwest, some species of fish and wildlife continue to decline. Reasons for the lack of success include: different groups have different values and priorities, there is no clear scientific answer, and there are conflicting directives and jurisdictions. The absence of a comprehensive and coordinated planning approach has caused inefficiencies in implementation of mitigation and recovery efforts, as well as their funding. On behalf of the Federal Columbia River Power System, BPA funds a large share of the regional efforts. BPA needs a comprehensive and consistent policy to guide the implementation and funding of its fish and wildlife mitigation and recovery efforts. BPA reviewed the many ongoing processes, identified key issues, and developed alternative policy directions based on alternatives developed by existing initiatives in the region. BPA examined five alternative Policy Directions (Natural Focus, Weak Stock Focus, Sustainable Use, Strong Stock Focus, and Commerce Focus) in relationship to continuing the Status Quo, or ''no action'', approach. The EIS evaluates the environmental consequences of BPA's implementation and funding of sample actions that could emerge from any of the policy directions. BPA does not intend to unilaterally select a Policy Direction for the region. Instead, this EIS provides an analysis of the full range of regional alternatives so that a timely funding and implementation strategy may proceed regardless of the alternative policy that ultimately is chosen--whether by design or by default. The BPA Administrator's initial decision, as well as future tiered decisions, will rely on the environmental analysis and the comparison of the alternatives against the purposes for action. The decisions will consider BPA's fish and wildlife responsibilities, as well as the agency's business responsibilities as a Federal Power Marketing Agency and its responsibility to provide public benefits to the region.

• Research Organization: Bonneville Power Administration (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of NEPA Policy and Assistance (EH-42) (US)
• OSTI ID: 823320
• Report Number(s): DOE/EIS-0312
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION
BUSINESS
COLUMBIA RIVER
DESIGN
EIS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS
FISH AND WILDLIFE
IMPLEMENTATION
MARKETING
MITIGATION
OR
PLANNING
POWER SYSTEMS
TRADE
WA