Scientists Oppose Snake Drawdowns ‘We Don’t Think That Moderate Drawdowns Would Make Much Difference’

Researchers from what Sen. Mark Hatfield calls the “Supreme Court of Science” have spoken on the issue of salmon recovery.

To the delight of hydropower interests and others who depend on the present river system, the scientists don’t like the idea of lowering Snake River reservoirs to help endangered fish get to the ocean quickly.

“We don’t think that moderate drawdowns would make much difference,” said John Magnuson, the Wisconsin professor who chaired a National Research Council panel. Drawing the reservoirs down to natural river level would be as socially unacceptable as removing the dams, he said.

Dam removal would also be expensive and environmentally disruptive, according to “Upstream: Salmon and Society in the Pacific Northwest.”

The report was released last week. Few people have seen the 400-page document - it won’t be officially published until late December - but summaries of its contents are bringing groans from environmentalists who believe drawdowns are the best hope of reviving salmon and steelhead populations.

The report was requested by Hatfield, an Oregon Republican, and then-Rep. Tom Foley, D-Wash.

Environmentalists argue that it is suspect because one of the scientists involved, Donald Chapman of Boise, often works for hydropower interests.

“We complained at the time that it was inappropriate for a well-known, very vocal industry consultant to serve on this panel,” said Jim Baker of the Sierra Club.

Half of the 14 committee members were from the Northwest, but none were state or tribal biologists who support drawdowns.

“I don’t know if it’s a valid criticism or not,” said Magnuson. However, he said the National Research Council bent over backward to ensure a scientifically sound report. It was reviewed by a second, independent committee.

Environmental activists acknowledged that the stature of the National Research Council is bound to influence decisions about salmon recovery.

“I’m not willing to say it’s over,” said Katherine Ransel of American Rivers. “But it’s not particularly helpful to our cause.”

The report pleases Bruce Lovelin of the Columbia River Alliance, a group of riverreliant communities and industries.

“This is good news for the region because it suggests that the federal government’s $435 million per year salmon plan, which relies on costly recovery measures such as reservoir drawdowns, spills and high flow augmentation, are not necessary.”

The scientists said young fish should continue to be barged around the dams. However, Magnuson said, they wished for better information on which to base that recommendation.

“It was a point of frustration for us,” he said. “The community out there would be well advised to get that information and nail this one to the wall.”

The report will cause the National Marine Fisheries Service to take a closer look at drawdowns, which it has tentatively endorsed, according to a spokesman for the agency. The fisheries service is writing a recovery plan for the three endangered runs of Snake River salmon.

The National Research Council report deals with much more than those species, and with more than the Columbia River Basin salmon. It also covers much more than dam and river operations. Among those summarized by the research council are:

Hatcheries: “Hatchery fish have at times exceeded the capacity of streams and are increasingly being associated with reduced marine growth and survival in wild salmon populations … Hatcheries should no longer be viewed solely as factories for producing fish … Hatcheries should be used only when they won’t harm natural populations.”

Genetic diversity: “Biological diversity and structure of salmon populations are being lost at a substantial rate, and this loss threatens the sustainability of naturally reproducing salmon populations in the Pacific Northwest … It isn’t enough to focus only on the abundance of salmon: their long-term survival depends on genetic diversity within and between local breeding populations.”

Fishing: “The number of returning fish to spawn must increase. In short term, such an approach necessitates reducing catch rates and encouraging more discriminating fishing patterns. Implementing this recommendation will initially require low fishing effort in many areas, especially in the ocean, and will require cooperation from British Columbia and Alaska.”

Population status: “Coastal populations tend to be somewhat better off than populations inhabiting interior drainages.

“Populations near the southern boundary of species ranges tend to be at greater risk than northern populations.

“Species with extended freshwater rearing - such as spring-summer chinook, coho, sockeye, sea-run cutthroat and steelhead - are generally extinct, endangered or threatened over a greater percentage of their ranges than species with abbreviated freshwater residence, such as fall chinook, chum and pink salmon.”

, DataTimes MEMO: Copies of the $35 report can be ordered from the National Academy Press, phone 202-334-3313.