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Home > News

Rep. McDermott Leads on Salmon Solutions and Planning Act

August 4, 2009

Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) and Rep. Tom Petri (R-WI), joined by 23 other Members, introduced the Salmon Solutions and Planning Act just before Congress adjourned for the August district work period. 

“The extinction of several species of salmon is not theoretical,” Rep. McDermott said. “Within the next 10 years, several species of Snake River salmon are expected to disappear forever unless we act now to restore and protect salmon and steelhead across the Pacific Northwest.”

The bi-partisan legislation, H.R. 3503, calls for independent and comprehensive studies of the issues affecting salmon recovery efforts, including: scientific analysis of the impact of the removal of the four Lower Snake River dams on salmon protection and restoration; energy replacement alternatives should the four dams be removed; a transportation infrastructure study to determine improvements needed in rail or surface roads; and studying how to protect existing irrigated agricultural lands.

Co-sponsors include Members from across the country:  Rep. Howard Berman (CA), Rep. Lois Capps
(CA), Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT), Rep. Sam Farr (CA), Rep. Raul Grijalva (AZ), Rep. Patrick Kennedy (RI), Rep. Barbara Lee (CA), Rep. George Miller (CA), Rep. Jerrold Nadler (NY), Rep. John Olver (MA), Rep. Earl Blumenauer (OR), Rep. John Conyers (MI), Rep. Anna Eshoo (CA), Rep. Bart Gordon (TN), Rep. Michael Honda (CA), Rep. Dale Kildee (MI), Rep. Edward Markey (MA), Rep. James Moran (VA), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Rep. Donald Payne (NJ), Rep. Fortney Pete Stark (CA), Rep. Adam Schiff (CA) and Rep. Robert Wexler (FL).

The legislation already has received endorsements from Save Our Wild Salmon and Taxpayers for Common Sense.

“Doing nothing is an option we cannot afford, economically or ethically,” Rep. McDermott said.  “We know the presence of salmon and steelhead in the Northwest is a significant economic engine driving local economies in communities large and small across the region; we know we have a legal obligation to Native American tribes across the region, which have court-ordered and guaranteed tribal fishing rights; and, we have a responsibility as leaders and citizens to face the facts and act to protect and restore salmon and steelhead runs to healthy, historic levels.”

A copy of the legislation is attached.