INTRODUCTION

The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission has initiated a strategic planning exercise in conjunction with regional Tribal and State management entities to provide guidance for future conservation, restoration, and management activities for white sturgeon in mid-Columbia and lower Snake river impoundments of the Federal Columbia River Power System.

The Northwest Power Planning Council and Independent Scientific Review Panel have identified the need for the development of a comprehensive basin-wide planning framework to ensure that sturgeon projects are being implemented in a complementary and cost effective manner. The lower-mid Columbia sturgeon planning has expanded their effort to organize development of this framework, in concert with their strategic plan, through a collaborative process with sturgeon interests in other parts of the basin.

The long-term goal of this project is to facilitate restoration of productive, viable sturgeon populations and fishery opportunities.