News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 21, 2000
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Sandi Snell, Governor's Salmon Recovery Office, 360-902-2229

Governor releases first State of Salmon Report

Gov. Gary Locke today released The State of Salmon, the first report of its kind to the legislature and citizens of Washington state.

The Salmon Recovery Planning Act, passed by the legislature in 1998, requires the Governor to submit a "state of salmon" report every two years, beginning in December 2000.

"Our goal with The State of Salmon publication was twofold - to meet the legislative requirement, but also to educate citizens throughout our state about the basic life needs of salmon and our efforts to recover them," Locke said.

Washington has 15 wild salmon runs listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, touching virtually every county in the state.

The 24-page report describes the salmon recovery challenges with declining fish runs and a growing human population. It highlights changes in managing fishing seasons and operating fish hatcheries. It addresses land use, water supplies and water quality issues spanning our state's landscape of urban areas, forests and agricultural lands. It captures where state and federal salmon recovery funding is spent, and highlights citizen efforts and local partnerships.

The State of Salmon tells the state's salmon recovery story through maps, photos and other graphics, and offers tips on what people can do at home and in their own back yard to make a difference.

In his proposed state budget released earlier this week, Locke committed $212 million in new state and federal funding to save wild salmon runs and provide clean water for people, fish, industry and agriculture.

The State of Salmon is available on line at www.governor.wa.gov/esa.

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