Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 1, 2001
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact: Department of Ecology, 360-407-7004
“This regional initiative will be a constructive way to resolve conflict over water use in the Columbia and Snake rivers,” said Locke.
The governor said the goal is to develop a strategy to meet the needs of a growing population and a sound economy while protecting the needs of fish and healthy watersheds.
Initially the program is designed to protect new and existing water uses while maintaining a water level in the rivers that supports the needs of fish. The process also will result in a schedule of activities designed to increase water reliability for existing uses and water availability for new uses.
A national science team will conduct an independent scientific review of existing knowledge about hydrology and fish. A regional panel of scientists also will participate in the independent review process.
A group of people with various interests in the use of water from these rivers will be invited to study the scientific reviews and participate in facilitated negotiations. The group will represent irrigators, fishing organizations, recreational users, hydropower producers, environmentalists, transportation (navigation) and city and state governments.
The governor also will invite federal agencies, other Northwest states and tribal governments to participate in this initiative.
Locke asked Tom Fitzsimmons, director of the Department of Ecology, to lead this effort.
The governor expects the scientific reviews, negotiations and schedule of activities to be completed by December 2002.
Related Links:
- Washington State Department of Ecology
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 1, 2001
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact: Department of Ecology, 360-407-7004
Locke aims to improve management of Columbia and Snake river systems
OLYMPIA — Gov. Gary Locke today launched a sweeping new “Columbia River Regional Initiative” aimed at improving how water is managed in the Columbia and Snake river systems.“This regional initiative will be a constructive way to resolve conflict over water use in the Columbia and Snake rivers,” said Locke.
The governor said the goal is to develop a strategy to meet the needs of a growing population and a sound economy while protecting the needs of fish and healthy watersheds.
Initially the program is designed to protect new and existing water uses while maintaining a water level in the rivers that supports the needs of fish. The process also will result in a schedule of activities designed to increase water reliability for existing uses and water availability for new uses.
A national science team will conduct an independent scientific review of existing knowledge about hydrology and fish. A regional panel of scientists also will participate in the independent review process.
A group of people with various interests in the use of water from these rivers will be invited to study the scientific reviews and participate in facilitated negotiations. The group will represent irrigators, fishing organizations, recreational users, hydropower producers, environmentalists, transportation (navigation) and city and state governments.
The governor also will invite federal agencies, other Northwest states and tribal governments to participate in this initiative.
Locke asked Tom Fitzsimmons, director of the Department of Ecology, to lead this effort.
The governor expects the scientific reviews, negotiations and schedule of activities to be completed by December 2002.
Related Links:
- Washington State Department of Ecology
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