Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement today regarding a proposal to recover salmon in the Pacific Northwest from U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, an Idaho Republican.
“Washington welcomes Rep. Simpson’s willingness to think boldly about how to recover Columbia and Snake River salmon in a way that works for the entire region and invests – at a potentially transformative level – in clean energy, transportation and agriculture.
“I believe that the Columbia Basin Collaborative, a regional process the governors of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana are in the process of convening, must play a prominent role in the formation and implementation of a comprehensive plan for the future of the Columbia and Snake rivers. The Collaborative can complement and inform Congressional efforts, and help our states achieve salmon recovery goals in a manner that is consistent with protecting and enhancing clean, reliable and affordable energy, transportation systems and agriculture.
“Conversations among different interests and across party lines are essential to identifying creative solutions that work for salmon, energy and the economy. This is important – to Washington’s tribes, people, economy and culture. I look forward to engaging with our state’s congressional delegation to find solutions that fully meet the needs of our state.”