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Anadromous Fish
Introduction: BPA is one of three agencies with responsibilities for the
Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS), along with the U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These three agencies together
(FCRPS action agencies), provide protections for the 13 anadromous fish (also
known as ESUs) listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) potentially
affected by system operations. The FCRPS action agencies do this through the
FCRPS Biological Opinion by ensuring that listed species aren't put in jeopardy
(at risk of extinction), and that there's no adverse modification to their
critical habitat or unauthorized take of them. The 2004 FRCPS BiOp provides a
critical foundation for protection of ESA-listed species, but recovery of
endangered fish will require additional improvements to address impacts from
other sources beyond the FCRPS.
In order to avoid jeopardy to the 13 listed fish in the Columbia River
Basin, the FCRPS action agencies prepared an Updated proposed Action (UPA) in
November 2004. The UPA describes the performance goals and actions to be
achieved over the duration of the 2004 FCRPS BiOp, through 2014. In addition,
the FCRPS action agencies prepare detailed implementation plans to document
specific strategies, priorities, actions, measurable targets, and timetables.
The Action Agencies also prepare annual progress reports to report document
achievement of ESU-specific performance targets.
In addition, BPA is a member of the Federal Caucus, a group of eight
agencies operating in the Columbia River Basin that have natural resource
responsibilities related to ESA. There are 12 populations of salmon and
steelhead in the basin listed under the ESA as well as bull trout, a resident
fish. The Caucus agencies are committed to recovery of endangered fish in the
Columbia Basin to sustainable levels. To succeed, recovery requires the support
and involvement of local citizens, municipalities, private landowners, and
state, tribal, and federal agencies. When all is said and done, we all want our
children, and their children, to experience a Northwest with abundant fish runs
and a fish-friendly hydro system. Our way of life and our economy depend upon
the river and its fish.
For more information on the FCRPS action agencies and the Federal Caucus
please visit www.salmonrecovery.gov.
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