NR-HQ-00-02E

Canadian and U.S. implementation of Pacific Salmon Treaty on track

January 13, 2000

OTTAWA -- Lloyd Axworthy, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, announced today that the implementation process of the 1999 Agreement under the Pacific Salmon Treaty, remains on track, with two key milestones having been met by the December 31, 1999, deadline.

These milestones involve the United States National Marine Fisheries Service determining that the terms of the 1999 Agreement meet the requirement of the U.S. Endangered Species Act, and secondly, the U.S.’s contribution of a first installment of US $20 million to two endowment funds, from their total commitment of US$140 million to be paid out over four years.

"The continued cooperation between Canada and the U.S. on the implementation of the Pacific Salmon Treaty represents concrete evidence of the political will and commitment shown by both countries during the June 1999 signing," said Minister Axworthy.

"We worked hard to achieve this bilateral agreement, which is a prerequisite for effective conservation of the Pacific salmon resource," said Minister Dhaliwal. "I am extremely pleased with the commitment of the U.S. Administration, the States of Alaska, Washington and Oregon, the U.S. Tribes and the many other Pacific Northwest stakeholders, in meeting U.S. obligations under the agreement. I look forward to a cooperative relationship as we work towards ensuring the sustainability of these fisheries."

The first installment of $20 million is to be made available to the Northern Boundary and Transboundary Rivers Restoration and Enhancement Fund, and the Southern Boundary Restoration and Enhancement Fund, which are to be established by the Pacific Salmon Commission and administered by two separate Committees. The funds will help ensure scientific cooperation and promote wild salmon stock recovery and habitat restoration and improvement. They will also support improved scientific understanding of factors affecting salmon production and provide enhanced information for resource management. In addition, the funds will augment program capacity for rehabilitation, restoration and improvement of natural habitat and enhancement of wild stock production through low technology techniques.

The Northern Boundary and Transboundary Rivers Restoration and Enhancement Fund, constituted by grants totalling $US 75 million, will support activities in northern and central British Columbia, Southeast Alaska and the drainage of the Alsek, Taku and Stikine Rivers. The Southern Boundary Restoration and Enhancement Fund, constituted by grants totalling $US 65 million, will support activities in southern British Columbia, the States of Washington and Oregon and the Snake River basin in Idaho.