Media Advisory ** Media Advisory ** Media Advisory

Office of the Secretary

For immediate release: February 8, 2001

Contact: Jamie Workman, John Wright (202) 208-6416
In Olympic Park: Barb Maynes: (360) 452-0317

FINAL STAGE: NORTHWEST 'PEACE PROCESS' GETS UNDERWAY

BABBITT, CONGRESS NEAR CONSENSUS ON PURCHASE & REMOVAL OF ELWHA & GLINES CANYON HYDRO DAMS TO RESTORE MASSIVE HISTORIC RUNS OF SALMON & TROUT

Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt will travel to Olympic National Park via Port Angeles, Washington State this Friday, February 11, at 1:15 pm, to hike along the upper Elwha River, tour Glines Canyon Dam, and join Washington's Congressional delegation in a long-awaited settlement ceremony.

The landmark agreement, initiated by Congress in 1992 then developed, fought for and implemented by the Clinton Administration, will restore all ten historic runs of salmon and steelhead, including the legendary Elwha Chinook to benefit fishermen, power consumers, private property owners, the Park's natural resources and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.

"On this trip I'm leaving my sledgehammer and fishing rod at home," said Babbitt. "But soon enough we will once again see thick runs of gleaming salmon thrashing back up to the foot of the mountains. For we have crossed Elwha's high, steep pass: the peace process is underway. From now on, it's all upstream for the salmon, and all downhill for us."

Who: Babbitt, Sen. Gorton, Sen. Murray, Rep. Dicks, Rep. Inslee, Tribal and Company officials
What: Final consensus agreement to move ahead with purchase and removal of Elwha dams
When: 1:15 pm, on Friday, 11 February, 2000
Where: Glines Canyon Dam, preceded by meeting at Altaire campground; directions to follow:

From Port Angeles, follow U.S. Highway 101 west approximately 8 miles to the Elwha River. Turn left onto the Olympic Hot Springs Road at the large brown sign marking "Olympic National Park, Elwha Valley". Follow the Olympic Hot Springs Road approximately four miles to the Altaire campground. (You will go through the National Park Service entrance station (no fees charged this time of year), and past the Elwha Ranger Station.) The entrance to Altaire campground is on the right, immediately after you cross the bridge over the Elwha River.

After the event at Altaire, exit the campground and turn right. Proceed another mile to the Glines Canyon dam.

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