[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 158 (Monday, November 10, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12439-S12440]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RIVER GOVERNANCE AND FISH WILDLIFE ISSUES FOR ELECTRICITY RESTRUCTURING

  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, late last week the distinguished Senator 
from Arkansas, Senator Bumpers, and I introduced broad-based 
electricity restructuring legislation. Each of us spoke to that 
legislation at that time. We expressed the belief that this first 
bipartisan approach to a major national issue facing the country would 
trigger even more serious consideration than has been given during this 
first session of this Congress to that subject, and expressed the hope, 
which I repeat here, that it is an issue that will seriously be 
considered by both Houses of Congress during the course of the next 
year.
  One major portion of that bill, S. 1401, is a title dealing with the 
Pacific Northwest fish and the management of the Columbia River system. 
I greatly appreciated Senator Bumpers' willingness to put his name on 
those regional provisions, as he did in my case, I believe, with 
respect to the provisions dealing with the Tennessee Valley Authority.
  This morning I wish to speak briefly on the fish and wildlife issues 
that are a part of S. 1401. The bill does not address, Mr. President, 
except in the most general way, the critical need for an improved 
``river governance'' process, especially with respect to issues 
relating to fish and wildlife. This omission should not be 
misinterpreted. Legislation may well be needed in this area to assure 
that the multiple purposes of the Federal power system are protected 
together with the public benefits that they bring.
  I hope that over the next several months the region can reach a 
consensus on these issues, including who pays the costs associated with 
needed actions. Bonneville ratepayers currently fund this effort 
through their power rates at a cost of $435 million a year on average, 
and their ability to make additional contributions to this effort and 
still meet other statutory obligations is increasingly constrained by 
an increasingly competitive, deregulated wholesale electric energy 
market. In forging a financing package, it will be important to look to 
all who benefit from this important natural resource to assume their 
fair share of financial responsibility, and to act consistently with 
sound business principles by holding administrative costs to as low a 
level as possible.
  Money alone, however, is not the answer. Today, the salmon recovery 
effort is failing. It is failing because of a flawed process for 
decisionmaking. This process has conflicting goals. It disperses 
decisionmaking authority among many Federal and State agencies and 
tribes and has little accountability for cost effective results.
  To make real progress, we need a regional plan; a plan in which all 
governmental interests--States, tribes, and the Federal Government--are 
partners, together with economic and environmental interests, for 
success. And success will mean the achievement of clearly defined goals 
measured by unambiguous results; results that rely on the best science 
of how to improve the survival of downstream smolts and that assure 
adequate escapement of returning adults to the spawning beds.
  All northwesterners care about our salmon resources. We argue 
sometimes about the best way to reach our shared goals but it is vital 
to remember that we share the goal of preserving and

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protecting our anadromous and resident fish and wildlife while also 
providing a reasonable and continuing harvest for Columbia River 
tribes, commercial fishermen, and sports anglers.
  I will continue to listen to the stakeholders interested in a 
comprehensive approach. I am aware that the region's Governors and 
their transition board may look to a group of ``three sovereigns''--
Federal, State, and tribal--to construct such a framework, together 
with other economic and environmental stakeholders. This and other 
creative thinking on how to maintain both the economic and public 
benefits of the Bonneville system will be critical to Congress as we 
move forward with this legislative package.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. MOYNIHAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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