:NW FISHLETTER 123 IN SUMMARY::

[1] FEDS UNVEIL PLAN FOR COLUMBIA HYDRO SYSTEM
Federal agencies went public with their proposed plan to keep the lights
on and salvage Northwest fish runs at the same time. Unless the water
picture improves, there won't be much, if any, spill at federal dams to
improve fish passage. Instead, barging will be stepped up to help them get
past the concrete. BPA thinks it can stay solvent, just barely, with a
huge rate increase and some water saved for next winter. As feds solicited
final comments, the water supply forecast edged slightly upward then down
again. Many think the forecast is still too bleak for agencies to consider
any spring spill. http://www.newsdata.com/enernet/fishletter/fishltr123.html#1

[2] POWER COUNCIL EXPANDS ITS SCOPE, LOOKS AT MID-C SPILL ISSUES
The Power Planning Council met in Spokane last week and heard a staff
report on biological effects from spill reduction at Mid-Columbia dams.
The report found that with barging at McNary in the spring, fish runs
might actually benefit. As for the power side, cutting spill just at Grant
PUD dams could provide the region with 1500 MW-mos, about what the Council
has figured is needed in storage to maintain an 80 per percent chance of
keeping the lights on. But with fish agencies still opposed to cutting
spill, one observer said he didn't think FERC would amend licenses this
year to allow it. He thought it would take an emergency order from the
Secretary of Energy to make it happen. http://www.newsdata.com/enernet/fishletter/fishltr123.html#2

[3] 27,000 CHINOOK PASS BONNEVILLE DAM IN ONE DAY
Fish managers were ready to sit on their original estimate of this year's
spring run until 27,000 fish showed up at Bonneville Dam and made them re-
think estimates. Originally pegged at 364,000, the run was re-estimated at
440,000 fish, then tweaked down to 400,000. The boost gave both anglers
and tribal fishermen another crack at the spring phenom. By month's end,
over 305,000 chinook had passed Bonneville Dam. Meanwhile, at the other
end of the salmon highway, nearly 70,000 fish had been counted at Lower
Granite with lots more on the way. http://www.newsdata.com/enernet/fishletter/fishltr123.html#3

[4] CONSERVATION GROUPS THREATEN LAWSUITS OVER FLOWS
Conservation and commercial fishing groups have sent "intent to sue"
letters to federal authorities, hoping to boost flows in the Columbia and
Snake rivers. The letters say that actions by the Bureau of Reclamation
"contribute to low stream flow conditions" and the failure to augment
flows violates the ESA because target levels established in the 2000
Biological Opinion will not be met. http://www.newsdata.com/enernet/fishletter/fishltr123.html#4