Bush administration announces salmon restoration initiative
January 26, 2004
Associated
Press
King 5 News
STEVENSON, Wash. - Senior Bush administration officials announced
a proposed $10 million increase for Northwest salmon restoration on
Monday at Bonneville Dam.
The increase brings to $100 million the total that will be used to
restore salmon habitat throughout the Northwest.
"Habitat restoration is making a difference," said Conrad
Lautenbacher, administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
file photo
Sockeye salmon are among the species trying to make a comeback under
the Endangered Species Act, which became law 30 years ago.
But environmentalists called the appearance, and the choice of venue,
ironic.
"They are making salmon speeches at big dams — dams are extremely
lethal for fish," said Charles Hudson, spokesman for the Columbia
River Intertribal Fish Commission.
Tribal groups applauded the increase in funding, but stressed that
the figure fell far short of their expectations. The Intertribal Fish
Commission said a $110 million increase is needed to fund all ongoing
restoration projects.
Bush administration officials, though, said they had to weigh both
economic and environmental concerns.
"It's a balancing act," said James Connaughton, chairman
of the president's council on environmental quality.