This Steelhead Supplement, like other components of the plan, relies on four fundamental approaches to accomplish the goal of securing and protecting healthy fish habitat. Watershed councils, soil and water conservation districts, and other grassroots efforts are vehicles for getting the work done. Government will work to provide the technical support and information needed for communities to prepare and implement local actions. These agencies are responsible for fishery harvest management, production of hatchery fish, water quality, water quantity, and a wide variety of habitat protection, alteration, and restoration activities. Under this plan, government agencies that impact aquatic systems will coordinate programs in a manner that is consistent with conservation and restoration efforts.
Government agencies use workplans to meet their goals as promised.
Biological and physical sampling will be conducted to determine whether salmon habitats and populations respond as expected to conservation and restoration efforts. The plan emphasizes improving compliance with existing environmental laws rather than arbitrarily establishing new protective laws. Compliance will be achieved through a combination of education and prioritized enforcement of laws that are expected to yield the greatest benefits for fish. In summary, the Oregon Salmon and Watershed Plan involves a statewide, coordinated effort by local citizens to prepare and implement actions that maintain and improve the health of their watersheds. With the assistance of government and private partnerships, these efforts will be monitored and improved over time.