Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 15, 1999
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke names Bill Ruckelshaus to head Salmon Recovery Funding Board

OLYMPIA — Gov. Gary Locke today appointed Bill Ruckelshaus as chair of the state Salmon Recovery Funding Board.

Ruckelshaus currently serves as a director of several corporations, including Cummins Engine Company, Monsanto Company, Solutia Inc., Coinstar Inc., Nordstrom Inc. and Weyerhaeuser.

Ruckelshaus was the first administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency when it was formed in December 1970. Ruckelshaus served in that capacity until April 1973.

The 1999 Washington Legislature created and authorized the Salmon Recovery Funding Board to guide spending of funds targeted for recovery activities and projects.

"The board will play an important role in terms of our statewide salmon recovery plan, and Bill Ruckelshaus is just the person we need to lead this effort," Locke said. "Each member of the board understands that while our focus is on salmon, we must also continue to address the importance of providing clean water for the citizens of the state and healthy watersheds to sustain our quality of life."

The primary purpose of the board is to make grants for salmon recovery projects and activities on a statewide basis to address the highest priorities for salmon habitat protection and restoration. In addition, the board also will be responsible for ensuring that state and federal funds for salmon recovery are wisely spent.

The Salmon Recovery Funding Board consists of 10 members: the governor appoints five members, and five state officials serve as ex officio nonvoting members of the board.

The governor's five appointments to the board include:

Frank L. "Larry" Cassidy Jr. of Vancouver is president and owner of Flo-Rite Products Co., Ltd., a company importing plumbing and hardware products. Cassidy serves as the vice chair of the Northwest Power Planning Council. Cassidy has been active in public service for 32 years for the improvement of fishing and hunting habitat activities and resources.

Brenda P. McMurray of Yakima is project coordinator for the Washington Information Center. Specifically, McMurray works to develop and implement a Yakima River Watershed Information clearinghouse of water quality projects, publications and activities.

Hon. John Roskelley of Spokane is a Spokane County commissioner. Roskelley has been a Spokane resident for 50 years, and volunteers on other boards, such as The Nature Conservancy of Washington board of directors, and the Spokane Guild School Foundation board of directors.

James L. Peters of Olympia is the natural resources director of the Squaxin Island Tribe. Peters, a member of the Squaxin Island Tribe, graduated from Centralia Community College with an associate degree in forestry technology. From 1991 to 1996, Peters worked at the Washington Department of Natural Resources on tribal relations.

The five ex officio nonvoting member of the board includes: Jeff Koenings, director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife; Steven R. Meyer, executive director of the Washington Conservation Commission; Tom Fitzsimmons, director of the Washington Department of Ecology; Sid Morrison, secretary of Washington Department of Transportation; and Jennifer Belcher, Washington Commissioner of Public Lands. The state officials serving in an ex officio capacity may designate a representative of their respective agencies to serve on the board on their behalf.

The Washington Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC) will staff the board.

"The task at hand is about more than protecting and restoring fish — it's about us and the quality of life we have come to expect," Locke said.

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