[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[September 28, 1992]
[Page 1690]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the Circuit Court Decision on 
the Marbled Murrelet
September 28, 1992

    The administration is disappointed that the Ninth Circuit Court of 
Appeals has refused to stay an order by the Seattle Federal District 
Court requiring the Fish and Wildlife Service to immediately decide 
whether to list the marbled murrelet as a threatened species under the 
Endangered Species Act. The district court also issued a temporary 
restraining order preventing timber sales in selected areas of the 
Pacific Northwest's national forests. The court order will require a 
listing decision for the marbled murrelet to be made prematurely, before 
additional biological information necessary to make an appropriate 
decision is obtained.
    These rulings will result in additional hardships for timber 
families and communities in the Pacific Northwest already suffering high 
rates of unemployment as a result of court injunctions to protect the 
spotted owl. The premature listing of the marbled murrelet is further 
evidence that several statutes relating to forest management and species 
protection are in need of reform by Congress.
    This recent development provides another clear message to Congress 
that it must enact appropriate timber management legislation, such as 
proposed by the administration, to address the timber supply crisis in 
the Pacific Northwest as quickly as possible. The administration will 
continue to work for a balanced solution to this problem, one which will 
provide sufficient timber to keep Northwest mills operating and workers 
employed while providing protection for endangered species.