Media Advisory ** Media Advisory ** Media Advisory

Office of the Secretary

For immediate release: September 22, 1999

Contact: Stephanie Hanna (202) 208-6416

BABBITT ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR CONDIT DAM TODAY

Feds, States, PacifiCorp, Tribes, environmentalists hail landmark agreement over 86-year-old, 15-megawatt, 125-foot high dam spanning the White Salmon River in Washington

Just months after Pacific salmon stocks were listed as threatened with extinction under the Endangered Species Act, Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt, Assist. Secretary for Indian Affairs Kevin Gover, and Rebecca Wodder of American Rivers will announce a major, consensus-based step toward restoring runs to the White Salmon River in Southwestern Washington.The announcement immediately follows a local press conference held in Portland by regional officials who have been negotiating future operations of Condit Dam under the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Since 1997, the Portland-based public utility, PacifiCorp, along with state and federal agencies, sovereign Indian Nations, and a coalition of environmental groups led by American Rivers, have worked under FERC deadlines, conditions and terms to forge an agreement over Condit's future suitable to all parties.

"More than any animal in creation, Pacific salmon embody strength, faith, grace, determination and self-sacrifice," said Babbitt. "It will take these same values, in us, to restore the silver threads that bind land to sea. Some say it is too hard, too late, too expensive. But through our collective will, Condit Dam, on this day, has become the Northwest's epicenter of hope."

B-roll footage, still photos, maps, graphs, phone bridge [(800) 432-3507 #372394] available.

The White Salmon river earned its name from the light-colored Tule fall chinook salmon meat, highly valued by the Native Americans since it is less oily and easier to preserve dried. The source of the White Salmon River is the glaciers of Mount Adams. It is a clean, cold, turbulent stream that could prove ideal for spawning tens of thousands of salmonids.

What: Press conference on settlement plans for Condit Dam on White Salmon River

Who: Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt, Assistant Secretary Kevin Gover, American Rivers President Rebecca Wodder

When: 3:00 p.m., September 22, 1999

Where: 1849 C St. NW, Washington, DC Room 7000 (7^th floor)

--DOI--

U.S. Department of the Interior