Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 14, 1999
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke, U. S. commit to funds for emergency tug

OLYMPIA — Gov. Gary Locke today announced that he will commit $100,000 from the Governor's Emergency Fund to help fund placement of a tug off Neah Bay this winter for potential ship rescue efforts.

The governor also got a commitment from Rodney Slater, U. S. Secretary of Transportation, for $250,000 in federal funds for the tug project.

"Each winter, we in Washington face the terrible prospect of a ship breaking up off our shores and leaking oil, damaging our beautiful coastline and killing wildlife," Locke said. "So, I have kept my pledge to commit money from the emergency fund if federal funds were also committed."

Supporters of placing the tug at Neah Bay argue that it would be useful to rescue ships that break in the heavy seas common in winter off the Washington coast.

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