Sims: Thanks to Senator Patty Murray's perseverance, critical salmon-recovery projects will proceed

U.S. Senator Patty Murray discusses salmon recovery funding as King County Executive Ron Sims, Salmon Recovery Funding Board Chair Bill Ruckleshaus, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Chair Billy Frank, Jr., and state Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Jeff Koenings look on - click photo for higher resolution
 

King County Executive Ron Sims today joined the region's most stalwart salmon leaders in thanking U.S. Senator Patty Murray for her efforts to ensure that crucial federal salmon recovery funding would be available so that ongoing salmon restoration efforts could continue.

"Thanks to Senator Murray's unflinching leadership, important salmon restoration projects will be able to move forward," Sims said. "Our senior senator has ensured that the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund received $80 million in federal funding to continue the important work of piecing back together the salmon's home on the West Coast."

Sims, who was joined in thanking Murray by state and tribal salmon managers, plus local elected officials at an event in Tukwila, noted that the senator was able to restore federal funds last week that had been cut by the House of Representatives.

Among others expressing appreciation were Billy Frank, Jr., Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission chair; Jeff Koenings, state Fish and Wildlife director; Bill Ruckelshaus, state Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) chair; and Tukwila Mayor Steve Mullet, chair of the Green-Duwamish watershed forum.

Sims said salmon restoration projects in Washington state will split $25 million in federal funding -- the same amount that the entire West Coast would have been battling for had Murray not stepped in to secure additional funds.

Exactly how much in federal salmon recovery funding will come to King County is unknown at this time. The SRFB is in charge of distributing restoration funding for qualifying work.

"The nice thing about these funds is that they go exactly where they are needed," Sims said.

While Murray said she was relieved that funds to restore federally protected salmon populations made it into the Senate's budget, there is going to be a battle on the Senate floor to secure the federal dollars.

"We are fighting tooth and nail just to maintain the status-quo," Murray said.

Murray acknowledged that western Washington's political and environmental leaders were particularly adept at working together to accomplishing great things for salmon recovery. She thanked Sims for his leadership efforts, as well as local, state and tribal government leaders, including Billy Frank, Jr.

"Senator Murray today not only did one of the greatest things for us here in Washington, but now she's also the senator of Idaho, Oregon and California," Frank said, referring to the area where salmon-recovery funds would be flowing, thanks to Murray's efforts. "I thank Senator Murray for being the leader that she is."