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Department of Ecology News Release - Feb. 25, 2005
05-042
OLYMPIA - Gov. Christine Gregoire has asked the Department of Ecology (Ecology) to suspend work on a rule associated with the Columbia River Initiative (CRI) until the end of the current session of the legislature.
"Gov. Gregoire told us she wants to continue working with lawmakers on the legislation now before them," said Linda Hoffman. "Elements of that bill are integral to implementing any new regulation on the Columbia River."
Ecology filed the rule in December when Gov. Gary Locke announced a new plan for managing Columbia River water.
The CRI proposal would establish a framework for issuing new water rights from the river while also improving stream flows for fish populations. The plan includes a policy bill lawmakers are considering, and a capital budget request to acquire water rights, improve conservation practices and develop new water storage capacity.
"Direction from the legislature on how Columbia River water should be managed is crucial to any rule-making process," Hoffman said. "We will keep the comments we've received so far on the rule, but step back on proceeding until a full airing in the legislature is complete."
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Media contact: Joye Redfield-Wilder, public information manager, (509) 575-2610
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