U.S. Department of the InteriorFor Immediate Release April 23,1997 Peter Hamm 208-208-6416 For Columbia Basin Inquiries: Elizabeth Rieben 202-452-5197 Andy Brunell 208-334-1770 STATEMENT OF INTERIOR SECRETARY BRUCE BABBITT ON RELEASE OF A PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE BY THE INTERAGENCY COLUMBIA BASIN INITIATIVE “Today, the regional directors of Federal agencies responsible for 72 million acres of public lands in seven states announced a preferred direction they would like to take to manage those lands. That strategy would safeguard our natural heritage by carefully managing across the landscape. I want to commend them, and everyone who worked with them, for what has been a remarkable, unprecedented effort.“The goal of this effort is to produce a locally driven, forward thinking, scientifically sound plan that would better protect our forests, lakes and rivers for generations to come. It should help ensure cleaner water and cleaner air. Simultaneously, it should help the people in the region move beyond disputes over resource use and thus benefit from ecologically sound--and legally sound--timber harvests, grazing, fishing, mining and other commercial activities that support rural areas. “This was not an easy exercise for the hundreds of public servants who have worked tirelessly for more than three years to bring it to this point. The job is not yet done. I welcome everyone to participate in the public process that starts today, and I urge them to do so with the same spirit of cooperation that county commissioners, Tribal experts, resource users and others have displayed in bringing the ball this far down the field. This effort sets the course for what the Columbia, Klamath and Great Basins will be like in 50 years. We are working to ensure that our grandchildren can cherish this region then as much as we can today. “ --DOI--
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