The needs of native fish and wildlife take precedence over other management objectives. An ecosystem that will increase currently productive fish and wildlife populations and recover depleted populations to the point of self-sustainability with a very low probability of extinction in the foreseeable future. The system addresses tribal harvest obligations and increases recreational and commercial harvest. It also provides improved water quality, benefits and intrinsic values of an improved environment and significant conventional economic benefits. An ecosystem that maintains the abundance of currently productive salmon and resident fish populations and stabilizes weak population while retaining those economic assets with the greatest ability to finance fish and wildlife restoration.
Harvest emphasizes tribal obligations.
The system retains the multiple uses hydroelectric system, emphasizing tributary watershed restoration, supplementation and maximum smolt transportation. The Columbia River Basin developed primarily to provide economic return. Economic and biological priorities are assessed on the basis of benefits to regional and local economies. Fish and wildlife mitigation is focused on strategies that are economically justified by harvest and other social benefits. Balance need for traditional flood control and naturally beneficial flooding.