By Joby Warrick
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, February 27, 1998; Page A01

The Clinton administration yesterday proposed strong new protections for endangered salmon, measures designed to save four species from extinction that could require wide-ranging curbs on development in major cities of the Pacific Northwest.

The National Marine Fisheries Service announced plans to designate 13 populations of northwestern salmon and trout as "endangered" or "threatened," a move that would likely lead to new restrictions affecting thousands of miles of waterways from California's Central Valley to Canada.

Among the species targeted for protection are West Coast chinook, or king salmon, whose habitat includes the heavily urbanized Puget Sound in Washington state. The proposal, if formally adopted next year, could force metropolitan Seattle and surrounding towns to protect salmon runs in what could be the most significant application of the Endangered Species Act ever in a major metropolitan area.

Cities and towns could be forced to take a number of measures to protect rivers and streams, including stopping the construction of new housing, tearing down dams and terminating road projects. Outside the cities, the salmon plan could lead to additional restrictions on logging, agriculture and fishing.

But the threat of regulation came with a reprieve: Federal officials offered to drop their plan if northwestern states can come up with their own strategy for protecting endangered salmon over the next 12 months. The government made a similar arrangement with Oregon last spring, agreeing to spare the state from mandatory federal controls after it adopted rules on controlling streamside logging and other activities that can damage salmon habitats.

"Extinction is not an option, and the status quo is not an option," Terry Garcia, deputy administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said in Washington as the proposals were being unveiled at a California news conference. "If the states don't step forward we'll use the full array of resources under the Endangered Species Act to address the problem."

The proposed listings for salmon are the latest and potentially most far-reaching in a series of actions by federal officials to protect the fish over the last seven years. The great inland migration of coho, sockeye and chinook -- once the foundation of a large commercial and recreational fishing industry -- has become a trickle in many areas because of dam construction, ocean fishing practices and habitat destruction.

Yesterday's announcement would extend federal protections to populations of West Coast chinook, chum and sockeye salmon as well as steelhead trout, affecting vast swaths of Washington, Oregon and Northern California.

The move sets up potential battles between federal and state officials, particularly in California, where Republican Gov. Pete Wilson has objected to past actions by federal regulators to expand protections for salmon. California officials, who learned about the decision from news accounts, were miffed that they weren't notified in advance.

"We are severely disappointed -- especially because they did not consult the state before making a decision of this magnitude," said spokesman Ron Low. "It's unfortunate that they feel the best policy is to pile regulation on top of regulation rather than looking at other options."

But in Washington state, where the 3 million-plus inhabitants of Puget Sound could potentially face broad new restrictions on growth, state officials were happy at least to have the chance to come up with their own plan.

"We have to protect the chinook salmon -- that's something that resonates with everyone who lives here," said Curt Smitch, special assistant to Democratic Gov. Gary Locke. "If we don't, not only do we lose the fish but we have to deal with federal regulators and the courts -- and that ain't pretty."

The preference for local controls over federal mandates was also voiced by industry groups who could bear much of the costs of the expanding listings. The Oregon Forest Industry Council, which represents many of the state's timber companies, promised to "work hand in hand" with state officials to come up with a strategy that would both protect salmon and avert the threat of federal controls.

"This option engages people rather than hitting them over the head with a stick," said Ray Wilkeson, the council's legislative director.

The salmon proposal comes amid faltering efforts by Congress to rewrite the landmark Endangered Species Act. A bipartisan bill in the Senate has won the support of key administration officials, most notably Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt, but has been condemned by U.S. environmental groups.