Office of the Secretary
For Immediate Release: October 15, 1998

Contact: Paul Bledsoe (202) 2086416

Regarding Lack of Congressional Funding for Elwha River

I am deeply disappointed that Congress has chosen to withhold funding for the removal of Elwha Dam. Because of this action, restoration of the Elwha River and its magnificent salmon has been delayed another year.

Senator Gorton's claims today regarding the Snake and Columbia River Dams are nothing but election year politcs--trying to change the subject from the lack of Elwha funding. Indeed, the Administration had already explicitly agreed to language which acknowledged that federal Columbia and Snake Rivers Dams could not be removed without Congressional direction. I have stated that repeatedly and I reiterate it today.

That was not the issue that prevented Elwha funding. The issue was Senator Gorton's demand that parts of the Federal Power Act, the Endangered Species Act and other environmental laws be suspended on the Columbia and Snake River systems. Such a demand can never be agreed to. It asks that we undermine the very conservation values we are trying to protect.

DOI