Walden Statement on NOAA Announcement that Oregon Coast Coho are No Longer Threatened  

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

For Immediate Release  

Contact: Angela Wilhelms

Phone: (202) 226-7338

Cell:     (202) 744-7974  

WASHINGTON , D.C. - In response to an announcement this afternoon by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Service that Oregon Coast Coho salmon need not be listed as a threatened species, U.S. Congressman Greg Walden (R-OR) issued the following statement:   

"Collaborative efforts and investments between NOAA, the state of Oregon , private landowners and local counties, tribes and conservation groups have led to success in restoring the population of Oregon Coast Coho salmon.  Those involved have realized positive results by comprehensively addressing habitat, hatchery and harvest issues affecting the species.

"As I continue working closely with Congressmen Norm Dicks and Brian Baird, both Democrats from Washington, to get to the root of issues impacting the population of adult salmon returning to spawn throughout the Northwest, it is my hope that we can learn from work done with the Oregon Coast Coho and see similarly successful results with Columbia Steelhead and Chinook salmon.  Through a comprehensive look at the four H's - harvest, hydropower, hatcheries and habitat - we can find solutions that will effectively and responsibly increase salmon populations."  

Walden, Dicks and Baird have held two public meetings to hear testimony from area experts in Tacoma and Vancouver , Washington .  They are in the process of scheduling additional meetings in northeast Oregon and possibly at the mouth of the Columbia River .    

"I applaud the dedication and good work of the folks at NOAA, the state of Oregon, coastal tribes, county and local governments, conservation groups and private landowners in restoring Oregon Coast Coho populations," added Walden.  "More money is spent on salmon recovery in the Northwest than on all other species recovery efforts combined.  That is an extraordinary investment, and I want to make certain this investment pays off."  

Congressman Walden is in his fourth term representing the people of Oregon 's Second District, which includes twenty counties in central, southern and eastern Oregon .  He is a member of the House Committee on Resources and the Committee on Energy & Commerce.  

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