[4] New Colville Tribal Hatchery On Track For Full Funding

The Northwest Power and Conservation Council voted earlier this month to continue the planning process for a $37-million tribal hatchery just below Chief Joseph Dam on the Columbia River. Construction is slated to begin in 2010.

"The Chief Joseph Hatchery will be an important tool in restoring salmon in the upper Columbia River watershed and providing new harvest opportunities for tribal and non-tribal fishers," said council chair Bill Booth. "We are pleased to see this project moving ahead."

The hatchery will produce up to 3 million smolts a year--summer/fall and spring chinook--to help rebuild natural runs and add harvest opportunities. It will be operated according to guidelines developed by the recent scientific review of Columbia Basin hatcheries.

BPA's cost may be partially offset by mid-Columbia PUDs, which have obligations to boost fish numbers as part of the new FERC licenses. -B. R.

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