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Prioritize Natural Resources Policy by Dan Ritzman Seattle Post-Intelligencer, November 21, 2008

The assertion in your Thursday editorial, "Northwest needs: Pay attention to us," is correct: Our region has several urgent requests to make for the incoming Obama administration. An effective natural resources policy for the Northwest should sit squarely at the top of the list. We now have an opportunity to solve some of the nagging problems that have plagued the region for years.

The salmon crisis in the Columbia and Snake rivers has dragged on in court for far too long, affecting salmon, our orca population here in the Puget Sound and communities throughout the Northwest. In addition to help from President-elect Barack Obama, how about some help from our state congressional delegation? We need effective legislation in Congress that benefits Columbia-Snake basin salmon and communities. That will occur only with leadership from Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray. Salmon are a signature resource for the region's economy and culture and must be a priority in the coming months. The Northwest deserves a solution that works.