House Approves Bipartisan Salmon Recovery Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) released the following statements after the House of Representatives voted 288-116 to pass H.R. 2083, the Endangered Salmon and Fisheries Predation Prevention Act, bipartisan legislation Rep. Newhouse cosponsored aimed at improving the survival of endangered salmon, steelhead and other native fish species in the Columbia River system.

"Billions of taxpayer dollars have been spent to improve salmon survival rates on the Columbia River, only to see rising predation from sea lions," said Rep. Newhouse. "This legislation demonstrates a targeted approach and a bipartisan, concerted effort over many years to come to a consensus on how to stop the severe problem of sea lion predation. I was pleased to work with my colleagues on this commonsense, bipartisan effort to mitigate this threat to salmon and steelhead populations. I will continue to advocate for sound-science decision-making for our river system."

"On behalf of our salmon and steelhead runs literally fighting for survival against the gauntlet of overpopulated, over-engorged sea lions, today's passage of my bipartisan bill will help restore balance to our Columbia River ecosystem," said Rep. Herrera Beutler. "It's time we gave our state and tribal managers the tools they need to humanely manage the most problematic of the sea lions, and in turn, save some of the Pacific Northwest's most important resources – endangered salmon. I'm grateful for Representative Newhouse's efforts to help advance this legislation that recognizes the urgency of this issue, and for my colleagues voting today to preserve our native fish species for generations to come."

WATCH NEWHOUSE SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF SALMON RECOVERY LEGISLATION

Background:

Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) and Kurt Schrader (D-OR) introduced H.R. 2083 to improve the survival of salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River. The legislation provides state and tribal fish managers with the means to remove limited numbers of California and Stellar sea lions from specific areas where they are posing the most harm to endangered native fish runs.