Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 8, 2000
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Statement from Gov. Gary Locke on federal 4(d) rule for steelhead

"The National Marine Fisheries Service's 4(d) rule supports our efforts to work with the agricultural and timber communities to develop ways to restore wild steelhead and salmon runs while meeting the economic needs of our businesses and families.

"NMFS already has approved the Fish and Forest Agreement we negotiated. And it is awaiting the conclusion of our negotiations with the agricultural community that are aimed at keeping our farms prosperous while we restore steelhead runs.

"But we all have to understand these rules going into effect today mean we're going to have to work harder to protect wild steelhead. We're going to have to provide culverts that fish can pass through to their spawning grounds, ensure they have adequate amounts of clean, cold water when they need it and make sure our streams and rivers are good homes for them.

"The 4(d) rule underscores the need to find ways to provide cold, clean water for fish and people."

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