News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 12, 2003
Contact:  Michael Marchand, Governor’s Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Mary Getchell, Puget Sound Action Team, 360-407-7312

Gov. Gary Locke Showcases Puget Sound Agenda, Introduces New Chair of Puget Sound Action Team

Gov. Gary Locke today showcased plans to further the health and well-being of Puget Sound and introduced his appointment to chair the Puget Sound Action Team.

The governor stressed the importance of continuing Puget Sound conservation objectives while initiating additional protection and restoration efforts. He expressed particular concern about the condition of the state’s orca, groundfish, salmon, shellfish and marine bird populations.

“The Puget Sound is a unique resource and we are blessed to have it in our front yard,” said Locke. “It is important that we continue to protect and preserve this vital part of our state and to initiate programs that will do so in the future.”

Highlights of the governor’s Puget Sound agenda include:

·Authorizing $90,000 from the emergency fund that coupled with $10,000 from the Puget Sound Action team’s budget will increase Washington’s role in the international effort underway to protect Puget Sound’s orca population;
·Asking the Legislature to approve funding for a rescue tug for the next biennium, and work with stakeholder groups to develop a long-term solution to protecting our waters from oil spills;
·Requesting the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife to provide an interim report on conservation progress regarding groundfish populations;
·Strengthening the marine protection component of the state’s salmon strategy; and
·Increasing funding for marine bird surveys and assessments.

Locke addressed the significant progress made in protecting and cleanup in the Puget Sound including how state and local governments have worked together to address discharges into the Sound, reducing the levels of chemicals present and the recently negotiated shorelines management agreement.

“The governor has pushed hard on many of the issues we have spoken about today," said Jeff Koenings, director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. "We look forward to working with the Puget Sound Action Team to accomplish these goals and work aggressively to improve our joint efforts to improve this region.”

The governor reiterated that the success of these programs will not just be in the hands of few, but in the hands of many.

“The Puget Sound effort will be cooperative, collaborative and involve not just the state, but tribes, local governments, stakeholders and private citizens,” said Locke. “I am hopeful with today’s announcement, we can bring new energy to this cause.”

Locke also introduced Bradley L. Ack as the new chair of the Puget Sound Action Team. Ack, who will be helping oversee these efforts, has spent the past 10 years serving as senior program director of Grand Canyon Trust, a regional conservation organization focused on the Colorado Plateau in Arizona. He will begin serving in his new role in March.

“Brad’s strong background in developing and planning conservation programs will be a huge asset in this role,” Locke said. “I am confident in his ability to provide leadership on a wide range of environment-related issues.”



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