1. Flow Meeting 2004 Biop Litigation September 29, 2005 Jim Litchfield Montana

2. Montana’s Interests  Provide improved ecosystem conditions in Montana’s rivers and reservoirs  Minimize any potential impacts on fish in the Lower Columbia in driest water years  Implement Council’s Mainstem recommendations for Libby and Horse  Evaluate – to the extent possible – the biological and physical effects of changes

3. Background  Since the 95 Biop Libby and Hungry Horse have been drafted in ways that cause maximum impacts on fish in Montana  Both reservoirs have been drafted down 20 feet by 8/31  The drafts were typically in August to backfill Grand Coulee  MT has sought the summer drafts to be limited to 5 feet from full – similar to GCL  In negotiating the Council’s Mainstem Amendments a compromise was reached at 20 feet in dry 20% and 10 feet otherwise

4. Montana’s SORs  Provide stable flows in Montana during July, August and September  Draft Libby & Horse 20 feet from full by end of September – driest 20 %  Adjust flows gradually in response to changes in actual inflows  Follow ramp rates and minimum flows for bull trout

5. Forecast Biop Flows in 2004

6. Summer Flows at Libby

9. Summer Flows at Horse

12. ISAB Recommendations  Resident fish influenced by Hungry Horse and Libby may receive important biological benefits from the flow modifications, assuming they are carried out as planned.  It is almost certain that the general productivity in the Montana reservoirs and in the immediate downstream reaches will benefit considerably.  Effects of the Council’s Mainstem Amendment on the survival of juvenile and adult anadromous fish in the Columbia River below Chief Joseph Dam will be immeasurable.