 The New York Times June 21, 2000 By The Associated Press SEATTLE, June 20 -- The federal government issued new rules today to protect West Coast salmon and steelhead, but even before they were made official, the new regulations were criticized by environmentalists and property owners. The rules clarify restrictions on land and water use in order to protect 14 endangered species of fish. Previously, actions that might have harmed those fish were reviewed case by case. Property-rights advocates say the rules go too far, but environmentalists say they are preparing to sue the National Marine Fisheries Service on grounds that the rules will not adequately protect endangered and threatened fish. The new rules announced by the fisheries service tell managers of public and private lands how to comply with the Endangered Species Act. The rules apply to habitats stretching 160,000 square miles across California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. "We'll look at those activities that clearly kill salmon, like bulldozers in streams with spawning salmon, and we'll look to other federal, state or local conservation efforts to address more marginal activities that may nonetheless have cumulative effects on the listed fish and their habitats," said William Stelle, head of the Northwest regional office of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. The steelhead rules will be enacted in 60 days, but the rules for salmon will not become effective for six months. Based on its reading of a draft version of the rules released earlier, the Washington Environmental Council contends that the regulations are full of loopholes. The council has prepared a letter notifying the government of its intent to sue under the Endangered Species Act, said Becky Kelley, a council spokeswoman. Back to Washington state page
|
|