For Immediate Release

June 3, 1999

REP. DICKS APPLAUDS SALMON ACCORD

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks said Thursday that the agreement negotiated between the United States and Canada to conserve Pacific coast salmon "represents a pivotal development that will be absolutely essential to the success of all of our salmon restoration efforts in the region."

          The congressman, who serves in the House as the ranking Democratic member of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, added that "this comprehensive agreement provides for better management and increased protection of diminished salmon stocks, and it finally resolves the longstanding conflict between our two nations over harvest levels."

          He credited Vice President Al Gore’s personal involvement in the issue and the President’s appointment of a high-level salmon negotiator this year with "elevating the negotiations and convincing the Canadians that ending these fights over fish can lead to great opportunity for both nations."

          The consensus reached today on this new interpretation of the Pacific Salmon Treaty of 1985 replaces the fixed harvest quotas that have been in dispute with a new management regime allowing for adjustment of harvest when salmon stocks are again plentiful. The agreement also establishes two substantial new regional funds that will address salmon habitat restoration and enhancement on the west coast.

          Rep. Dicks noted, however, that these funds will be separate from the state and local salmon restoration efforts that are now taking place, with an estimated $100 million in assistance from the federal government in the western states during the upcoming fiscal year.

          But Dicks added that "this agreement could never have been reached without the direct, personal involvement of President Clinton and Vice President Gore." He credited the Clinton Administration with "primary responsibility for this giant leap forward in resolving the U.S.-Canada dispute, as well as for its strong advocacy of salmon habitat renewal money in next year’s budget to assure the future of the Pacific salmon for generations to come."

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