Hatfield Proposes Resources Panel

Sun., March 10, 1996

Associated Press

Oregon Sen. Mark Hatfield is proposing a regional natural resources council to succeed the Northwest Power Planning Council.

The power council oversees energy, fish and wildlife planning in the Columbia Basin. But Hatfield is proposing a council with the authority to establish and enforce guidelines for management of all natural resources in the Columbia-Snake river system.

“We can’t consider water for generating electricity isolated from water needs for irrigation, navigation, recreation, fish protection and mitigation,” Hatfield said. “We have to begin to understand that this region is an integral part of a total ecosystem.”

Congress created the eight-member power council in 1980. Its members are appointed by the governors of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana.

Hatfield said his proposal could represent a threat to some special interests, but it would be for the common good. “Who’s looking at the big picture?” the veteran Republican said. “Everybody’s looking at their own narrow slot or part of the picture.”

Congress has asked the power council to make recommendations this June on the most appropriate governing structure to oversee salmon recovery plans. Hatfield plans to introduce legislation incorporating his proposal regardless of what comes out of the power council.

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