Orca Task Force Final Recommendations Good, Not Bold

Governor Jay Inslee’s emergency Orca Task Force released its final recommendations today. The recommendations include an increased commitment to funding salmon habitat restoration, increasing water spilled over dams in the Columbia Basin, creating a transition plan for southeast Washington if the Snake River dams are removed, banning emerging chemicals of concern, investing more to reduce stormwater runoff, and much more.

Robb Krehbiel, Orca Task Force Prey Working Group member and Northwest representative for Defenders of Wildlife, issued this statement:

“For the last six months, the Orca Task Force has been grappling with several big and contentious issues. The final set of recommendations released today are good and will move the state in the right direction, but they are not enough to prevent the extinction of our orcas. This set of recommendations lays a foundation upon which the state can build.

“But if we are serious about meeting the goal of 10 new orcas in 10 years, the state must increase funding for salmon recovery and habitat restoration. We must quickly and aggressively remove outdated and unneeded dams. We must fully protect and restore our rivers and floodplains, which includes limiting and removing harmful construction projects. And we must significantly decrease stormwater runoff by strategically installing largescale green stormwater infrastructure throughout our urban areas.

“Our state can save our whales, but we need bold political leadership. The Task Force must continue meeting to discuss issues they weren’t able to tackle this year, including the impacts of increasing urban growth and development. If Governor Inslee and his Task Force hope to save these orcas, we need additional bold and broad actions. This set of recommendations is only a start.”