It is of the highest priority and in the public interest that mainstem federal project operators shall provide instream flows in the Columbia River sufficient to support fish life, navigation and recreational uses, and that federal project operators shall incorporate such flow levels as a firm requirement in all power system planning and operation agreements and procedures.
(2)
Hydropower peaking operations which do not cause excessive reservoir fluctuations to interfere with beneficial uses of water are declared to be in the public interest. To minimize adverse impacts on other beneficial water uses, federal project operators shall not exceed project limits on reservoir rates of change.