Klamath Basin Water governors announce pact 091906

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Governors announce pact to aid oceans

Herald and News September 19, 2006

GRANTS PASS (AP) — The governors of Oregon, Washington and California announced an agreement Monday to press the federal government to give greater support to state efforts to combat threats to the ocean, such as pollution, climate change and declining fisheries.

Noting two national panels had identified the need to act quickly to protect the nation’s oceans, the West Coast Governors’ Agreement on Ocean Health, announced at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland, said oceans need to be managed on an ecosystem level that crosses political boundaries, which demands increased coordination between states and the federal government.

Klamath River cutbacks

The announcement came as salmon fishermen are coping with sharp cutbacks to protect chinook from Northern California’s Klamath River, scientists are studying a growing zone of oxygendepleted water killing fish off Oregon and Washington that may be triggered by global warming, and the Bush administration is promoting offshore fish farms that would be beyond state control.

Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski said the agreement builds on the three states’ work setting up a ‘‘clean-car corridor’’ to limit tailpipe emissions that contribute to global warming.

‘‘Once again, Oregon, California and Washington are coming together to address the threats facing our ocean,’’ he said.

Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire said the agreement gives the three states a greater voice opposing offshore oil and gas drilling and promoting federal research. ‘‘It sends a message to the world that we will stand up for our quality of life,’’ she said.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, said from Long Beach, Calif., that the agreement with two Democratic governors would give the states more influence in Washington, D.C. ‘‘It is harder for the federal government to ignore us if we speak with one voice,’’ he said.

In the next six months, the governors said they would jointly call on the White House and Congress to provide enough federal funding to implement existing controls on non-point source pollution, identified as a top threat to coastal waters.

Goals identified

The governors will formally repeat their opposition to offering federal leases to drill for oil and gas off the West Coast, and support development of a regional research plan for the West Coast, including ocean observation programs and mapping the sea floor and ocean habitats. They will also ask the White House Council on Environmental Quality to help them get more technical help from federal agencies to address threats to the ocean.

Long-term goals include ensuring clean coastal waters and beaches, restoring healthy coastal habitats, reducing harm from offshore development, expanding ocean research, and promoting sustainable economic development in coastal