Opinion Editorial from Joel Kawahara and Sara Patton
Tacoma News Tribune - August 18th, 2011
Northwest businesses are rallying behind a federal court decision earlier this month affirming wild salmon’s right to exist. U.S. District Court Judge James Redden rejected the Obama administration’s plan for endangered Columbia Basin salmon, opening up opportunities for fishing and other salmon-based jobs and businesses and for the development of clean, affordable energy that will mean yet more jobs.
On Aug. 9, the NW Energy Coalition and Washington Trollers Association joined more than 1,000 businesses and business associations in a “Salmon Mean Business” letter (available at www. pcffa.org). We asked the Obama administration to work with businesses toward prosperity based on both clean energy and salmon recovery in the Columbia and Snake rivers. We hope Washington Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and Gov. Chris Gregoire support this approach.
