Columbia River Project (CRCIRP) -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 2/8/2001
Last Visited: 12/17/2002
"NMFS is committed to using the best available science in our decision-making process for this project, and we see the use of SEI as an important mechanism to get us where we need to be," said Cathy Tortorici, NMFS project manager.
"Bringing the agencies and port representatives together up front, to work out how to proceed, is definitely putting us on the right track to accurately assess the key biological issues involved in this proposal," said Kemper McMaster, supervisor of the USFWS' Oregon office."Having SEI as a neutral facilitator assembling the science panel is going to allow us to work more quickly and with greater confidence."The USFWS recently assumed ESA authority over coastal cutthroat trout, which are found in the lower Columbia River and estuary, McMaster said.
Congress, which authorized the project during its 1999 session, must still appropriate funds for the channel improvement work.The navigation channel is currently maintained at 40 feet.
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Cathy Tortorici, National Marine Fisheries Service, (503) 231-6268