T. Gorton: “my constituents in the Pacific Northwest and the Members of this body know that I am not a fan of the current version of…”

“my constituents in the Pacific Northwest and the Members of this body know that I am not a fan of the current version of the Endangered Species Act, a law that has proven to be a failure not only for endangered species but also many rural communities and private property owners as well. In fact, I have spent much of my time as a U.S. Senator looking for ways to improve that law. The Endangered Species Act has inflicted grave harm on natural resource industries based in the Northwest with little to show in return, especially if we attempt to measure the law's success in bringing salmon back to Northwest rivers and streams. In fact, the Puget Sound region faces the possibility of more ESA listings over the next year. Local leaders in the Pacific Northwest looked to the Washington State congressional delegation during this year's appropriations process for funds to implement the salmon recovery plan personalized to respond to our unique needs in the Puget Sound region. I believe that we will be successful. The local scientists and leaders know that a creative plan that is supported by the communities surrounding the Puget Sound area will be the best chance we have to achieve success and avoid the heavy hand of the Endangered Species Act, a law implemented by D.C. bureaucrats with plans and standards that may not fit with the challenges and competing interests that must be balanced in the Northwest.”