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Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 30, 2000
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke proposes roundtable to solve Yakima water issues

YAKIMA - Gov. Gary Locke today urged local government officials and the Yakama Nation to work together to solve Yakima Basin water issues with the help of a state-appointed facilitator.

The governor proposed the appointment of Jim Waldo, a Tacoma attorney, who has mediated a number of controversial issues in Washington and served as the governor's fact finder for the Yakima Basin's water issue.

Locke said unresolved water issues in the basin could have serious consequences for its citizens.

"Local officials don't know how they can meet demands for growth if they can't deliver water," Locke said.

He added federal laws such as the Clean Water Act also might cripple development plans unless creative and cooperative actions were taken. Federal Bureau of Reclamation plans also may conflict with local development efforts, Locke warned.

"The result, in addition to poor coordination, is tension and even a lack of cooperation," Locke said. "Most important, we aren't planning our scarce water resources wisely to benefit people as well as wild salmon, steelhead and bull trout.

"Jim Waldo told me about a lot of good work and cooperation at the local level with on-the-ground projects where no governance issues are at stake," Locke said.

He challenged the local officials and tribes to build on those effective projects.

Locke suggested the tribe and local government set up a roundtable group and use the mediation services offered by Waldo.

"Obviously, it would be good for all the people in this community to pull together and reach some fundamental agreements. I'd like to do everything I can to help all the people of the Yakima Basin do that," Locke said.

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