The Lower Columbia Salmon Recovery Plan:
Celebrating a Partnership of Success
Clark County Public Service Center
Vancouver, Washington
December 15, 2004
remarks by Dr. Jeff Koenings, Ph.D., WDFW Director

Good afternoon---Thank you for inviting me here today to join with many of the people of the region that have worked so hard on salmon recovery planning. The local salmon recovery board has accomplished some very hard work, but as Teddy Roosevelt said "Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." In my opinion, the Lower Columbia River Salmon Recovery Plan was definitely worth doing! It signals to the rest of the state-Yes we can do this!

I'd like to thank all those people who took time from their busy personal lives to come to the table over the past two years, to build the relationships necessary to make the plan a reality.

I am especially encouraged by the relationships and common interest that have developed during the collaborative process. This common goal approach will be the key to assuring that these essential actions are implemented to the benefit of the fish in the region.

I believe the plan provides the essential biological elements and social commitments necessary to begin rebuilding the salmon and steelhead in the lower Columbia.

Now, we are definitely faced with the most challenging task ahead in developing the implementation phase of the plan. The common-goal approach across diverse interests that you have pioneered will be key to succeeding.

My department wholeheartedly supports the recovery plan and its implementation as the plan seeks to balance the needs of people with the needs of the fish. That continues to be one of the main messages from the Governor when dealing with natural resource issues. And I believe that the right balance can only be achieved through a locally-driven collaborative process.

I recognize that salmon recovery cannot occur in a vacuum nor can it occur without funding dollars.

You have my commitment to help find the necessary dollars whether working hard with Bill to preserve and increase federal dollars for the Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Fund or with Larry on the BPA funding projects consistent with sub-basin plans or with the Governor on elements within the state budget cycle.

You have my pledge to do our part in assuring hatchery programs are operated to assist in recovery of wild salmon populations while at the same time providing the economic benefits from local fisheries at low risks to the wild fish we are protecting. We have become world leaders in the many techniques of fishing selectively.

We are also dedicating state resources to further development of conservation plans for lower Columbia coho which I believe will be effective in protecting and rebuilding natural coho without federal protection of the ESA.

My confidence comes from the belief that this lower Columbia Salmon Recovery Plan provides the foundation in which to build that coho conservation plan.

Finally, people in the region need to know how the fish are responding to their personal investments. Like stocks in the stock market, those investments need to be monitored. We need to map our progress---reinvest in the successes and cut any losses. Monitoring provides the information flow that leads to the most cost-effective salmon recovery effort.

Again, I'd like to thank you for your hard work and for the time spent away from your families working on fish stuff, but as I am frequently reminded "one touch of nature tends to make the whole world kin". More simply put: we are here together because it's where we want to be.

Best Regards, and may you all have the happiest of holidays.

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