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Commentaries and editorials

Central Idaho Town Passes
Resolution to Improve Salmon Runs

by Assoicated Press
KIFI, June 14, 2007

BOISE, Idaho - The city council in the central Idaho community of Stanley has passed a resolution calling on Idaho's congressional delegation to support a comprehensive study on improving salmon runs.

The council voted 4 to 0 yesterday to support a bill now before the US House of Representatives that calls for an economic and scientific analysis of salmon recovery options.

City Councilman Herb Mumford says the Salmon Economic Analysis and Planning Act will help restore salmon runs in the Salmon River.

He says restored runs will attract anglers to the area in the fall when other tourist activities are winding down.

The resolution also calls for examining the operation of reservoirs and dams on the Lower Snake River.


A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF STANLEY DECLARING SUPPORT FOR THE RESTORATION OF HARVESTABLE, SELF-SUSTAINING POPULATIONS OF WILD SALMON AND STEELHEAD IN THE UPPER SALMON RIVER REGION

WHEREAS the City Council of the City of Stanley supports the economic health and welfare of our community and its citizens, and desires to promote a diverse and sustainable economy; and,

WHEREAS abundant wild salmon and steelhead populations make essential contributions to the economic, natural, and traditional values of central Idaho; and,

WHEREAS upper Salmon River species have been listed under the federal Endangered Species Act since the early 1990s, yet existing federal recovery plans and goals have failed to restore wild salmon populations to our region; and,

WHEREAS local sport fishing for salmon has been suspended since 1978, to the detriment of local economic development, jobs, families, and communities; and,

WHEREAS restored wild salmon populations are necessary to sustain recreational fisheries for hatchery salmon, steelhead, and other fish species in the upper Salmon River region and elsewhere in Idaho: and,

WHEREAS the primary limiting factor in the recovery of wild salmon in this region is not local river habitat but rather the degraded condition of downriver habitat and migratory conditions; and

WHEREAS only a small fraction of historic numbers of chinook and sockeye salmon have returned in for each of the past several years, wild salmon and steelhead returns and survival rates are clearly inadequate; and

WHEREAS policy decisions governing salmon recovery must be directed by the best possible economic and scientific data, and a measure is currently before the U.S. Congress to authorize additional studies:


NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF STANLEY, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:

  • The City of Stanley and its leadership endorses stronger efforts and actions to restore harvestable and self-sustaining wild Salmon and Steelhead populations and sport fisheries in the upper Salmon River region; and

  • The City of Stanley supports comprehensive economic and scientific analysis on salmon recovery options, and thus endorses H.R. 1507 (the Salmon Economic Analysis and Planning Act, "SEAPA") now before the U.S. Congress; and,

  • We urge Idaho's Governor and Congressional delegation to endorse and support SEAPA in the U.S. Congress; and

  • The City of Stanley supports actions to address human-caused limiting factors in salmon recovery, particularly the operation of reservoirs and dams on the Lower Snake River, which have been identified as major factors in the inadequate survival rates of wild Idaho salmon; and

  • We urge that all affected agricultural, transportation, and energy interests in the region be adequately protected, if the removal of Lower Snake River dams is necessary to restore wild salmon populations and fisheries; and

  • We pledge to communicate and act in all available venues to support the recovery of wild Idaho salmon, essential to the economic well-being of our community and the values of our citizens.
Authorized by the City Council the 13th day of June, 2007, and signed in open session in authentication of its adoption.

Assoicated Press
Central Idaho Town Passes Resolution to Improve Salmon Runs
KIFI, June 14, 2007

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