Top Locke Aide Resigns To Take Ecology Position

Gov. Gary Locke’s chief policy aide has resigned to accept a key administration position with the state agency that referees environmental disputes.

Ann Daley will go to work for the three-member Pollution Control Hearings Board, which rules on appeals of decisions on permits, penalties and other regulatory actions by the Department of Ecology and local air pollution control agencies.

The board faces significant decisions in cases involving water rights in Yakima, dairy farm waste runoff, a port terminal facility proposed for Cherry Point, and a number of shoreline development cases.

Daley, who will earn an annual salary of $73,886, sought appointment to a vacancy created by the resignation of the board’s chairman, Richard Kelley of Seattle. She will serve the remainder of Kelley’s term, which expires June 30, 2002. She starts Aug. 25.

Sue Crystal, the governor’s top adviser on health policy, will serve as acting policy director.