[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 190 (Monday, October 3, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57629-57630]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-19760]


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PACIFIC NORTHWEST ELECTRIC POWER AND CONSERVATION PLANNING COUNCIL


Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program Subbasin Plan 
Amendments

AGENCY: Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Planning 
Council (Northwest Power and Conservation Council; Council).

ACTION: Notice of final adoption of the subbasin plan amendments to the 
Council's Columbia River Basin and Wildlife Program (Fish and Wildlife 
Program).

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SUMMARY: The Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation 
Act of 1980 (U.S.C. 839 et seq.) (the Power Act) requires the Northwest 
Power and Conservation Council to adopt and periodically review and 
amend the Fish and Wildlife Program. The program must be designed to 
protect, mitigate and enhance the fish and wildlife affected by the 
development and operation of the hydroelectric facilities of the 
Columbia River and its tributaries, while also assuring the region of 
an adequate, efficient, economical and reliable power supply.
    On August 12, 2002, pursuant to Section 4(h) of the Power Act, the 
Council requested in writing that state and federal fish and wildlife 
agencies, Indian tribes and others submit recommendations for 
amendments to the Fish and Wildlife Program. The Council requested 
recommendations for objectives and measures for the program at the 
subbasin level, to be submitted in

[[Page 57630]]

the form of a subbasin plan for each subbasin or as possible elements 
for a subbasin plan.
    On May 28, 2004, the Council received proposed subbasin plans for 
59 subbasins of the Columbia River, formally recommended for amendment 
into the Council's Fish and Wildlife Program. The Council then engaged 
in the lengthy public review process required by the Power Act for 
recommended program amendments, including notice and public review and 
comment on the recommendations and notice, comment and public hearings 
in all four states of the Columbia basin on proposed draft amendments 
based on the recommendations.
    Following the required public review, the Council formally adopted 
as amendments into the Fish and Wildlife Program subbasin plans for 57 
Columbia basin subbasins, based on the recommendations submitted. The 
Council made its decisions to adopt the subbasin plan amendments at its 
public meetings in December 2004, February 2005, May 2005 and June 
2005. At its September 2005 public meeting, the Council concluded its 
subbasin plan program amendment process by adopting, as part of its 
program, a document describing the subbasin plan amendment process, 
making written findings explaining the Council's disposition of the 
amendment recommendations, and explaining how the Council responded to 
the public comment on the recommendations and draft program amendments. 
This documents also serves as a Statement of Basis and Purpose for the 
Council's decision.
    The subbasin plans amended into the program and the program 
document with the findings on recommendations and responses to comments 
may be found on the Council's Web site, at http://www.nwcouncil.org/fw/subbasinplanning/Default.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you would like a copy of the 
subbasin plan program amendments, please go to the Council's Web site 
at the address above. The subbasin plan program will also soon be 
available on a compact disc or in printed form. For more information, 
please contact the Council's central office for assistance. The 
Council's address is 851 SW. Sixth Avenue, Suite 1100, Portland, Oregon 
97204. The Council's telephone numbers are 503-222-5161 and 800-452-
5161, and the FAX number is 503-820-2370. The Council's Web site is 
http://www.nwcouncil.org.

Stephen L. Crow,
Executive Director.
[FR Doc. 05-19760 Filed 9-30-05; 8:45 am]
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