PR 54 05 FEDERAL AGENCIES FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FRIDAY, May 27, 2005 Contact: See Below     STATEMENT OF FEDERAL EXECUTIVES ON REGIONAL EFFORTS TO REACH AGREEMENT ON COLUMBIA RIVER HYDRO OPERATIONS FOR FISH WALLA WALLA, Wash. - For the past few months, representatives from the Northwest states, Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, NOAA Fisheries, and Bonneville Power Administration have been meeting together with the goal of reaching an agreement on short and long term Columbia River hydro operations to benefit fish. These talks have resulted in a positive working relationship and have the potential to achieve a broad agreement on how to improve the survival and abundance of salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River Basin, especially those listed under the Endangered Species Act. These discussions are particularly timely in light of yesterday's federal district court ruling regarding hydro operations designed to help salmon. The objective is a sound and well supported long term plan of action for state and federal agencies, and others, in the region to improve fish passage and survival and to provide certainty and stability for the region's economy. Bob Lohn, NOAA Fisheries Regional Administrator, stated that "We are pleased and grateful that the Governors have been willing to work with us in partnership in an attempt to resolve these very difficult issues." CONTACT: Jeff Donald, NOAA Fisheries (202) 482-4640 Ed Mosey, BPA (503) 230-5131 Diana Cross, USBR (208) 378-5020 Nola Leyde, Corps (509) 527-7019 Submitted for distribution on 05-31-2005 at 4:35 PM

Bonneville Power Administration, 905 N.E. 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232 Mailing Address: Media Relations - DM7, P.O. Box 3621, Portland, OR 97208-3621 Phone: (503)230-5131 FAX: (503) 230-5884 Web Site: http://www.bpa.gov