16 U.S.C. § 3301: Congressional findings and declaration of purpose

The stocks of salmon and steelhead which originate in the rivers of the conservation areas constitute valuable and renewable natural resources. Many groups of commercial, recreational, and treaty fishermen have historically depended upon these stocks of fish for their livelihoods and avocations. These fishery resources contribute to the food supply and economic health of the Pacific Northwest and the Nation as a whole, provide valuable recreational experiences for thousands of citizens from various parts of the United States and represent a central element of the cultures and economies of Indian tribes and the citizens of the Pacific Northwest. Over a period of several decades, competing uses of salmon and steelhead habitat and historical problems relating to conservation measures, the regulation of harvest and enhancement have depressed several of these stocks of salmon and steelhead. Improved management and enhancement planning and coordination among salmon and steelhead managers will help prevent a further decline of salmon and steelhead stocks and will assist in increasing the supply of these stocks. Due in principal part to the Federal court decisions in the United States against Washington and Sohappy against Smith, the fishing capacity of nontreaty fishermen in the conservation areas established by this chapter exceeds that required to harvest the available salmon resources. This excess capacity causes severe economic problems for these fishermen. improve the distribution of fish among different groups of treaty and nontreaty fishermen; and add stability to the treaty and nontreaty fisheries by reducing variations in fish availability. the purchase of nontreaty commercial and charter fishing vessels, gear, and licenses; and coordinated research, enhancement, and management of salmon and steelhead resources and habitat; and improve the quality of, and maintain the opportunities for, salmon and steelhead recreational fishing. In conjunction with the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary shall accelerate ongoing research and development activities, and may carry out or participate in additional research and development activities, for the purpose of developing innovative methods and technologies for improving the survival of salmon, especially salmon in the Columbia/Snake River Basin. impacts from water resources projects and other impacts on salmon life cycles; juvenile and adult salmon passage; light and sound guidance systems; surface-oriented collector systems; transportation mechanisms; and dissolved gas monitoring and abatement. studies of juvenile salmon survival in spawning and rearing areas; estuary and near-ocean juvenile and adult salmon survival; impacts on salmon life cycles from sources other than water resources projects; cryopreservation of fish gametes and formation of a germ plasma repository for threatened and endangered populations of native fish; and other innovative technologies and actions intended to improve fish survival, including the survival of resident fish. The Secretary shall coordinate any activities carried out under this subsection with appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, affected Indian tribes, and the Northwest Power Planning Council. Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 [ Aug. 17, 1999 ], the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the research and development activities carried out under this subsection, including any recommendations of the Secretary concerning the research and development activities. There is authorized to be appropriated $43,400,000 to carry out research and development activities under paragraph (3). In conjunction with the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary shall accelerate efforts toward developing and installing in Corps of Engineers-operated dams innovative, efficient, and environmentally safe hydropower turbines, including design of fish-friendly turbines, for use on the Columbia/Snake River hydrosystem. There is authorized to be appropriated $35,000,000 to carry out this subsection. In conjunction with the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior, and consistent with a management plan to be developed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Secretary shall carry out methods to reduce nesting populations of avian predators on dredge spoil islands in the Columbia River under the jurisdiction of the Secretary. There is authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 to carry out research and development activities under this subsection. Nothing in this section affects the authority of the Secretary to implement the results of the research and development carried out under this section or any other law.”