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RESOLUTION NO.2292
A RESOLUTION ENDORSING ACTIONS TO PROTECT AND RESTORE ENDAN
GERED SALMON RUNS IN PUGET SOUND,AND SUPPORTING THE REMOVAL
OF STRUCTURES INTERFERING WITH PUGET SOUND SALMON RUNS
RECITALS:
1.Urban interests in the State of Washington,having entirely destroyed or decimated salmon runs in
urban areas,are actively promoting the restoration of natural conditions in rural areas which are
asserted to improve salmon runs in such areas.
2.Such interests are spreading misinformation about the practices of rural Washingtonians,notwith
standing the absence of credible scientific data that such practices have any material adverse impact
on remaining salmon populations.
3.The City of Seattle,by Resolution No. 30230,adopted on August 21,2000, a resolution supporting
removal ofthe four lower Snake River dams on which ruralWashingtonians depend.
4.The City of Seattle is spreading misinformation concerning the effect of those dams on salmon and
legal obligations connected with the operation ofsuch dams.
5. Fundamental considerations of equity and fairness suggest that the City of Seattle should focus its
attention upon improving salmon survivalin territory subject to its lawful jurisdiction.
6. The City Council of the City of Seattle has declared in Resolution No. 30230 that it "accepts that
paying our fair share of salmon recovery costs is appropriate and necessary to fulfill our legal and
moral obligations for salmon restoration".
7. The Ballard Locks in the City of Seattle allegedly kill a higher percentage of salmon migrating past
them than the four lower Snake River dams combined.
8.The removal of the Ballard Locks would allegedly provide substantial increases in survival for
endangered Puget Sound Chinook salmon migrating past the locks.
9. Removal of the locks will resultina significant lowering of Lake Union and LakeWashington that will
create substantial quantities of pristine riparian habitat for salmon.
10.Similar benefits can be obtained from removing Boundary Dam (near Metaline Falls),Ross Dam,
Diablo Dam,and Gorge Powerhouse (on the Skagit),Cedar Falls Dam (near Snoqualmie),Howard
Hansen Dam(on the Green River),Mud Mountain Dam(on the White River),and Landsburg Dam
(on the Cedar River).
11.The important benefits provided by the locks and other structures can be maintained or replaced,
along with providing adequate mitigation for individuals and communities adversely affected by
removal of such structures.
RESOLVED:
1. The Ballard Locks and otherstructures should be removed;that federal,state, and local governments
should ensure a positive transition for the communities affected by the removal,plan effective
mitigation for any economic,cultural,or other dislocation caused by the removal,and vigorously
pursue economic and community development to build a sustainable future for those communities.
Adopted by the City Council on September 12,2000.
ATTEST:Mayor
Hnance Director