The newly created Pacific Salmon Commission (PSC) Northern and Southern Endowment Fund Committees met in Vancouver on June 20-21, 2000. Each Committees is composed of six members, three appointed by Canada and three appointed by the United States.

Pursuant to the agreement reached last year between Canada and the United States, the U.S. Government will grant $75,000,000 USD to the Northern Boundary and Transboundary River Restoration and Enhancement Fund and $65,000,000 USD to the Southern Boundary Restoration and Enhancement Fund. The initial installment of $20,000,000 USD has been received by the PSC, with future installment to the funds being made over a three year period. The Canadian Government has also granted $500,000 CD to the fund.

Income earned from investing the Funds ultimately will be used to support activities in both the United States and Canada in the broad areas of development of improved information for resource management; rehabilitation and restoration of habitat; and enhancement of wild stock production through low technology techniques.

The members (and proposed members) met primarily to discuss investment strategies for the funds and to review and establish operating procedures for the Committees. Because expenditures from the funds will come only from the income of the invested principal, no projects will be implemented right away, and only modest project expenditures will occur in the initial years as the stream of income from investment grows. The main objectives of the Committee at this time are to maximize income from investing the Funds and develop procedures for soliciting proposals, awarding contracts, and administering projects in the future.

For further information please contact Don Kowal, Executive Secretary of the Pacific Salmon Commission, at (604) 684-8081 or e-mail at kowal@psc.org.