Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 13, 2004
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gary Locke Hosts Meeting on Ocean Policy Report

Gov. Gary Locke today hosted a meeting to discuss the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy’s (USCOP) preliminary report at the Seattle Aquarium.

The forum was co-sponsored by the Seattle Aquarium, People for Puget Sound, and the Surfrider Foundation.

Joining Locke at the meeting were Bill Ruckelshaus, former Environmental Protection Agency administrator and chairman of the Salmon Recovery Funding Board, Marc Hershman, professor of marine sciences at the University of Washington, and representatives from government and non-government organizations. Ruckelshaus and Hershman were both members of USCOP.

“The preliminary report of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy is an important document for our state,” Locke said. “This wide-ranging report covers many issues critical to the biologic and economic health of our region.”

The report was issued by USCOP on April 20. Only comments from governors are included in the final report, so Locke used this meeting as an opportunity to gather input from concerned citizens and environmental organizations.

“The ocean is critically important to our state—economically and ecologically,” Locke said. “The recommendations in the report could have a significant impact on us. It’s extremely important that we actively engage with the commission. It’s essential that we provide input that will benefit our state and our relationship with the sea.”

Comments to the governor from the public are due by May 17. To submit your comments, go to http://www.governor.wa.gov/contact/ocean.htm.

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