Position Statements

Resolution of the Idaho Chapter of the American Fisheries Society On the Role of Dams and Snake River Salmon and Steelhead Recovery

June 24, 1999

Whereas:
Many, and perhaps most, stocks of Snake River salmon and steelhead now are extinct;

Whereas:
The remaining stocks of Snake River salmon and steelhead populations have declined to perilously low levels from historical levels, and all are currently listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act;

Whereas:
Snake River salmon and steelhead extinctions and declines occurred as a result of the impacts from a variety of physical, chemical, and biological factors, including those that have been summarized as the "four H's" - Hatcheries, Harvest, Habitat, and Hydropower facilities;

Whereas:
Recent incremental improvements and adjustments in management of hatcheries, harvest, habitat and hydropower facilities have not led to any apparent significant increases in Snake River salmon and steelhead stock abundances;

Whereas:
Dramatic action must be taken soon to prevent some, or perhaps even most remaining Snake River salmon and steelhead stocks from extinction;

Whereas:
Recent scientific reviews, including those conducted as part of the Independent Scientific Advisory Review process and the Plan for Analyzing and Testing Hypotheses, have indicated that restoration of natural river conditions where the lower four Snake River dams occur has the highest likelihood of preserving and recovering listed salmon and steelhead and poses the least risk of unanticipated side-effects;

Whereas:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Lower Snake River Compensation Plan Office, charged with compensating for salmon and steelhead losses associated with mortality caused by the four lower Snake River dams, has concluded it cannot meet its salmon compensation objectives;

Whereas:
The first objective in the constitution of the American Fisheries Society is to promote the conservation, development, and wise use of the fisheries, and the AFS further commits to promote enlightened management of aquatic resources for optimum use and enjoyment, by the public;

Whereas:
Past management of Snake River salmon and steelhead stocks and their environment has resulted in a failure to conserve and use wisely the fisheries, or to provide for optimum use and enjoyment by the public; and

Whereas:
At least two important decision points soon will be reached by federal agencies regarding management of the lower four Snake River dams and recovering Snake River salmon and steelhead: one by the Army Corps of Engineers for managing federal dams on the lower Snake River, and one by the National Marine Fisheries Service on whether the operation of those dams jeopardizes the continued existence of Snake River salmon and steelhead;

Therefore be it resolved that:
Based on the best scientific information available, it is the position of the Idaho Chapter of the American Fisheries Society that the four lower Snake River dams are a significant threat to the continued existence of remaining Snake River salmon and steelhead stocks;

Let it be further resolved that:
If society-at-large determines that Snake River salmon and steelhead are to be restored or recovered in their native ecosystem, then one biologically required action is to eliminate or greatly reduce impacts to salmon and steelhead from the four lower Snake River dams by removing, breaching, or bypassing the dams, or otherwise allowing the lower Snake River to flow freely, without impoundment; and

Let it be further resolved that:
In conjunction with actions to allow the lower Snake River to flow freely, without impoundment, actions to address detrimental impacts to habitat, from harvest, or from hatcheries likely will be required to further increase the likelihood of recovering Snake River salmon and steelhead stocks.