columbia river basin fish and wildlife program annual ...

6.126.12 CONTINUING COORDINATION AND CONSULTATION(By All Federal Project Operators/Regulators)1203(c) [Abstract] The Federal project operators and regulators shall workwith the agencies and Tribes to comply with theconsultation/coordination requirements of the Act. The Councilexpects research planning consultation to occur among agencies,Tribes, and project operators and regulators. The Council willencourage improved coordination of fish and wildlife efforts byconsulting with the fish and wildlife agencies, Tribes, projectoperators and regulators, BPA customers, Federal and state water andland management agencies, irrigation districts, academic experts, andinterested citizens groups.ACTION ITEM ACTIVITY SUMMARY:Objectives:In conjunction with the Council and the Ad-Hoc Roles Committee ofCBFWA, BPA has participated in the development of a formal processthrough which BPA and the Fish and Wildlife agencies and Tribesjointly plan! and BPA subsequently implements, the Fish and WildlifeProgram. This process provides for the involvement of the region'sFish and Wildlife agencies and Tribes at relevant decision-makingpoints and should improve coordination and consistency between BPA'simplementation actions and the agencies' and Tribes' existing andfuture management activities.Background and Progress to Date:Plans:In early April 1987, BPA staff began meeting with Council staff andan ad-hoc committee of CBFWA. The meetings focused on explainingBPA's process for implementing the Program, from inception throughcompletion. Participants agreed to continue discussion, with a goalof developing a collaborative and cooperative process through whichBPA would plan and implement the Program. As a result of thesediscussions, an Implementation Planning Process (IPP) was developed(see Section III of the AIWP).The IPP was endorsed by the BPA Administrator and the CBFWA Chairmanon October 19, 1988. The IPP's Policy Review Group (PRG) was formedin late 1988. In January 1989, the PRG began providing BPA withpolicy and funding recommendations related to Programimplementation. The PRG continues to serve a forum for policycoordination and consultation among BPA, fish and wildlife agencies,Tribes, utility interests, Council, and other interested parties.The AIWP is based on the outline developed by the PRG during Step 1of the annual IPP cycle.BPA plans to continue to use the IPP as a coordination andconsultation mechanism and to develop the AIWP.1 6 7