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OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Stephanie Hanna (O) 202/208-6416
January 28, 1997 Tony Floor (O) 360/534-9330

INTERIOR SECRETARY TO PARTICIPATE IN SIGNING FIRST
MULTI-SPECIES STATEWIDE CONSERVATION PLAN IN SEATTLE

Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt will be in Seattle
on Thursday, January 30, to join the Public Land Commissioner and
representatives from other federal agencies in the signing of a
Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) protecting multiple species on
state lands throughout Washington. The 70-year agreement, with
renewal provisions, is between the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service,
the National Marine Fisheries Service and Washington's Department
of Natural Resources.

"This agreement is truly historic. Not only is this the
largest HCP we have ever prepared for forested lands and the
first to protect multiple species on state lands statewide,
but the 1.6 million acres covered in this plan provide long-term
protection for habitat essential to a wealth of fish and wildlife
species that may now avoid the last-resort protections of the
Endangered Species List," Secretary Babbitt said. "In addition,
we are providing certainty and long-term economic opportunity for
rural communities and state trust beneficiaries dependent upon
forest resources. This HCP offers a brighter future for fish,
wildlife and jobs."

Secretary Babbitt will be joined by Jennifer Belcher,
Washington's Commissioner of Public Lands; National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration Assistant Secretary Terry Garcia; and
Billy Frank, Chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries
Commission.

The signing event will take place at 1:00 p.m. P.S.T. (4:00
p.m. E.S.T.) at the Radisson Hotel, Sea-Tac.

-DOI-

Directions to hotel from Seattle: From I-5 take exit 152 to 188th
Street; follow 188th Street to Pacific Highway South; turn right
and proceed 2 miles; turn left on 170th Street; turn left at
hotel entrance sign.

Highlights from the event will be downlinked via satellite from
2:00-2:30 p.m. P.S.T. on Galaxy C4; Transponder 11 horizontal;
audio 6.2 & 6.8; D/L frequency - 3920 MHZ.


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