Salmon Plan Ready Next Year, Locke Says

Thu., Jan. 29, 1998

Compiled From Wire Services

Gov. Gary Locke offered no immediate ways on Wednesday to defuse the upcoming clash over salmon in the populous Puget Sound basin, but he promised to have specific ideas for the 1999 Legislature.

Flanked by state legislators from both parties, the governor offered a “strategy” for restoring and protecting salmon habitat in the region amid the threat that the federal government will step in soon to force the issue.

Locke, with nods of assent from lawmakers and members of his Cabinet, said state and local officials will hammer out concrete proposals this year for the 1999 Legislature. The proposals will contain many elements needed to restore healthy salmon runs in the region, he said.

Here is a sampling of proposals:

Protect and restore stream flows through a variety of means, from restricting ground-water wells to limiting construction of impervious surfaces, such as parking lots, that speed up flows from sudden runoffs.

Better protect water quality with measures such as the restoration of wetlands and fencing to keep livestock out of streams.

Protect and restore stream side, or riparian, areas as well as in-stream large and small woody debris. Stream sides are vital to fish for their spawning and their health because of the shade and food sources they offer. In-stream debris provides cover and respite for salmon.

Manage fish harvests and hatcheries with the intent of protecting wild salmon runs from overfishing and from genetic destruction due to intermingling with hatchery fish.

“Many of our once-abundant salmon runs are now so small that the federal government is taking steps to protect them from extinction,” Locke said. “… The decisions we face will not be easy, but there is growing agreement across our state that we need to change the things we currently do that hurt fish.”

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