Contact:   Brian Gorman       FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
           Scott Smullen      6/2/98

The U.S. Commerce Department's National Marine Fisheries Service said today it would continue to encourage state conservation plans as vital building blocks to protect imperiled salmon and their habitat, despite a federal court opinion yesterday that said the agency was mistaken by relying on an Oregon plan to protect coho salmon, thereby keeping them off the endangered species list.

The fisheries service last year had declined to list under the Endangered Species Act coho salmon along Oregon's central and northern coast. In addition to finding that the species did not warrant listing under the Endangered Species Act, the fisheries service determined that the state's comprehensive salmon conservation plan provided additional protection to the species.

"This court decision will not affect our commitment to the people and resources of Oregon, or their hard work to implement the state plan to save coho salmon. It's absolutely imperative that all of us remain focused on the goal of salmon recovery and habitat restoration," said Terry Garcia, Commerce assistant secretary for oceans and atmosphere. "The best chance for salmon and steelhead recovery is through collaborative federal and state efforts that effectively involve local governments and the private sector.

"We are, frankly, somewhat surprised by yesterday's ruling because we believe we made the right decision," said William Stelle, regional administrator for the fisheries service's Northwest office in Seattle. "The Oregon Plan is a strong, broad based, solid initiative that is the best thing for salmon recovery and for healthy streams. We remain strongly committed to the plan, and that commitment remains unchanged irrespective of the listing status of coastal coho salmon."

"Salmon are in serious trouble. Regardless of the final outcome of this case, we remain steadfastly committed to our goal of recovery of these species," added Garcia.

The federal court ordered the fisheries service to revisit its earlier listing decision based upon the ruling by July 2. The government is reviewing the ruling and will decide whether to appeal it in the next several weeks.