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Gore Outlines Vision For Saving Salmon In Pacific Northwest Press Release from Vice President Al Gore June 9, 2000

Also Announces Two New National Monuments:
Hanford Reach in Washington, Cascade-Siskiyou in Oregon

Richland, WA - June 9 - Declaring that neither extinction nor massive economic dislocation are an option, Al Gore today outlined his vision for bringing people together to save and restore salmon in the Pacific Northwest. Gore would ensure that the federal government would work with all interested parties to develop a balanced approach to protecting the endangered salmon. Gore also announced today the creation of two national monuments -- Hanford Reach in Washington and Cascade Siskiyou in Oregon.

"Today, I want you to know that I am deeply committed to saving and restoring the salmon of this region. Extinction is not an option nor is massive economic dislocation. I reject both extremes," Gore said. "There's a better way -- one that restores the salmon, and also ensures a strong regional economy.

"If I'm entrusted with the Presidency, I will bring together all interested parties to find a real solution," Gore continued. "Mine will be an inclusive approach, based on solid science -- the kind of approach that is working right now in coastal areas like the Puget Sound."

As President, Gore would ensure that the federal government would work with states, local governments, tribes and private landowners to develop a balanced approach to restoring the salmon runs. Gore would ensure that any plan to restore salmon has broad regional support, was fair to the area's taxpayers and balanced the environment and the economy.

Gore highlighted an announcement he made earlier today about the creation of two national monuments. Today, President Clinton formally designated Washington's Hanford Reach and Oregon's Cascade-Siskiyou as National Monuments:

• HANFORD REACH NATIONAL MONUMENT
  The new Hanford Reach National Monument is located in south central Washington along the Columbia River. Home to the winter nesting grounds for the bald eagle, Hanford Reach encompasses approximately 195,000 acres of public land along the Columbia River, where more than 80 percent of the Chinook salmon spawn.

  In 1988, Congress passed a law that directed the National Park Service to study the Hanford Reach and recommend protection measures. In 1994, the Park Service recommended designation of a National Wildlife Refuge north and east of the river, and a National Wild and Scenic River designation for the Hanford Reach. Sen. Patty Murray promptly introduced legislation in 1995 to implement the Park Service’s recommendation by designating the Reach as a Wild and Scenic River. In 1997, Sen. Murray and Rep. Norm Dicks introduced companion bills, S. 200 and H.R. 1477, that would designate the Hanford Reach a Wild and Scenic River.

  In 1999, Sen. Murray asked the Secretary of the Interior to consider recommending monument designation to protect the area. In May, Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt visited the area to discuss protection for the Hanford Reach and surrounding land with a wide variety of affected interests. Secretary Babbitt, on May 31, 2000, recommended to the President that the area be designated as a National Monument.

• CASCADE-SISKIYOU NATIONAL MONUMENT
  The new Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument is located in south central Oregon, 25 miles southeast of Medford along the California border. It includes Soda Mountain and encompasses approximately 52,000 acres of public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. It includes part of the Oregon-California trail.

  At the request of local community groups, Secretary Babbitt visited the Cascade-Siskiyou in October 1999 and began a dialogue about future management to protect the area. He returned with Rep. Greg Walden in February 2000 to continue the discussion. The Secretary held two subsequent roundtable meetings with a range of community representatives to discuss appropriate management for the area. Secretary Babbitt, on May 31, 2000, recommended to the President that the area be designated as a National Monument.