Kempthorne visits Washington
SEATTLE – Former Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne is visiting his onetime Northwest neighbors in his first official trip as U.S. interior secretary, focusing on U.S. Geological Survey scientists who monitor Mount St. Helens and work to increase understanding of Puget Sound.
Kempthorne had a private tour of the survey’s Western Fisheries Research Center on Thursday before taking a short spin on Lake Washington in a research vessel, getting a hands-on look at the tools of the trade.
The secretary checked out an acoustic Doppler current profiler, which is being used to learn how currents work in troubled Hood Canal, a long, narrow waterway west of Seattle where natural and manmade nutrients are reducing water quality and habitat.
Kempthorne also checked out a device that tracks fish fitted with acoustic tags that emit a pinging sound. The tracking is designed to help scientists collect information about fish habitat preferences, such as water depth and water temperature.
Accompanying him on the water were other federal officials and some members of the Puget Sound Partnership, a panel established by Gov. Chris Gregoire to improve the health of Puget Sound and related Western Washington inland waters, including Hood Canal and area watersheds.
“I believe in management walking around, so this is an opportunity for me to come out and see one of the outstanding partnerships,” Kempthorne said. “I believe strongly in … public-private partnerships,” he said, adding, “The Puget Sound Partnership is one of those that is a great role model.”
The partnership issued an assessment of Puget Sound’s problems on Monday, stressing the need for public awareness and participation in recovery efforts. Its recommendations for tackling the problems are due in November.
Kempthorne said he was pleased to have company as he learned more about the role of USGS and its parent, the Interior Department, in the recovery effort.
“The role of science is key,” Kempthorne said. “Science can inform federal, state and local decision-makers of the priority steps that can start today or should be undertaken in the future” to ensure that such Northwest species as orcas and salmon “will continue to thrive.”
Of his visit Wednesday to the USGS lab near Mount St. Helens, in southwest Washington, the secretary said, “Twenty years ago, we did not connect the word ‘prediction’ with volcanoes.”
Researchers have learned a great deal since St. Helens’ deadly 1980 blast, he said – and USGS now has an emergency response team that take advanced volcano monitoring gear anywhere in the world.
“It does save lives,” he said.
Kempthorne also said he will be taking part in a series of “listening sessions” around the country, to gather feedback on President Bush’s interest in “cooperative conservation.” Also participating will be the secretaries of Commerce and Agriculture, and the directors of the Environmental Protection Agency and the White House Council on Environmental Quality. At least two dozen sessions are planned through the summer, with meetings in every region.