2005/2006 Steering Committee

Left to right, back row: Tim Culbertson, John Saven, Ken Canon, Jack Speer, Steve Eldrige, Larry LaBolle; front row: Jean Ryckman, chair; Kay Gabriel, co chair; and Terry Flores, executive director – not pictured: Jim Sanders

2005/2006 Accomplishments

Championed efforts that lowered Northwest electric costs without harming fish.

• Helped turn back a preliminary injunction that would have cost regional electric customers an additional $450 million in added costs – with few benefits for fish. 
• Persuaded Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), the Army Corps of Engineers and NOAA Fisheries to modify river operations: ending a spill test that harmed fish and cost more than $1.3 million; stopped unnecessary spill at John Day for $30 million in savings - allowing operations that preserved an estimated 360 megawatts throughout the system.
• Opposed a wasteful $30 million Army Corps flood control feasibility study. 

Sustained an important voice in the “Sovereigns” remand process, developing a Biological Opinion for river operations for the next ten or more years.

• Built and maintained a positive relationship with key decision makers.
• NW RiverPartners met with regional leaders in Wash., D.C.;
• Worked with Representatives Cathy McMorris and Doc Hastings, sponsors of the “ESA Compliance Transparency Act,” requiring BPA to publish the costs of salmon recovery;
• Testified in several congressional hearings;
• Rebutted a letter to 103 members of Congress who signed a letter calling for a dam breaching analysis; and,
• Issued a membership Call to Action to: 1) terminate BPA’s contract with the Fish Passage Center; and, 2) urge the NW Power and Conservation Council to freeze its $143 million budget.
  

Created an effective presence with the media. Issued timely press releases and was proactive with media. Met with editorial boards and worked to place provocative editorial opinion pieces opposing dam breaching, such as a guest editorial in the Idaho Statesman.

A partnership of farmers, electric utilities, and large and small businesses in the Pacific Northwest, all dedicated to ensuring that the Snake and Columbia remain living, working rivers.