PR 75 05 FEDERAL CAUCUS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: TUESDAY, Sept. 20, 2005 Contact: See below     Statement of Federal Executives Concerning today's court filing in NWF v. NMFS Portland, Ore. - Joint release from the National Marine Fisheries Service, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bonneville Power Administration. Statements filed with the federal District Court for Oregon today outlined a proposal by NOAA Fisheries, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation and Bonneville Power Administration for a two-year regional process to develop a new plan for the operation of the Federal hydrosystem, which would then be the subject of a new biological opinion and integrated with long-term salmon recovery plans already underway. Our proposal affirms our intent to continue working with regional parties on a long-term solution for operating the Federal Columbia River Power System, and other actions needed to support recovery of Columbia River Basin salmon and steelhead listed under the Endangered Species Act. There is far more that unites us than divides us in the Pacific Northwest. We continue to believe that broad regional agreement on these matters is not only a possibility, but an imperative. We also believe that the choices we must make about hydrosystem resources and uses will benefit from a common understanding of regional priorities and the trade-offs they entail. All in the region share the dual goals of healthy salmon and steelhead runs and a healthy economy, and the federal agencies remain committed to working with the citizens of this region to attain these goals. We look forward to engaging with the Columbia River Tribes, the States and others as we proceed toward a long-term solution for the operation of the Federal Columbia River Power System and recovery plans to guide regional efforts. Bob Lohn, Regional Administrator, National Marine Fisheries Service Bill McDonald, Regional Director, Bureau of Reclamation Colonel Gregg Martin, Division Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Steve Wright, Administrator, Bonneville Power Administration Supporting documents are available at www.salmonrecovery.gov For further information, contact: Brian Gorman, NOAA Fisheries, 206-526-6613 Ed Mosey, Bonneville Power Administration, 503-230-5359 Diana Cross, Bureau of Reclamation, 208-378-5020 Ken Holder, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 503-808-3710 Submitted for distribution on 09-20-2005 at 3:17 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