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MEDIA CONTACT
Katy Johansson
360.725.5442
katy.johansson@psp.wa.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
04-23-2009

Dave Somers to replace Ron Sims as chair of Ecosystem Coordination Board

OLYMPIA – The Puget Sound Partnership’s Ecosystem Coordination Board (ECB) today selected Snohomish County Councilmember Dave Somers to replace outgoing King County Executive Ron Sims as chair of this 27-member implementation group.

“I am excited about the opportunity to help lead the region’s effort to save Puget Sound,” said Somers. “It is a great challenge, but one we cannot fail at. The ECB brings together representatives of business, tribes, NGO’s, and local, federal and state governments to meet this challenge. And I will work hard to bring the power of this coalition to achieve success. We simply cannot allow Puget Sound to decline.”

Somers represents counties on the ECB.

Sims, who served as the board’s inaugural chair from December 2007 until today, is awaiting confirmation as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“Ron Sims has done an outstanding job of leading the ECB,” said Bill Ruckelshaus, chair of the Partnership’s Leadership Council. “I am confident that Dave Somers will continue to ensure that the Puget Sound Partnership receives the broadest citizen, stakeholder and governmental input possible.”

Gov. Chris Gregoire and the Legislature created the Partnership to determine how and why Puget Sound’s health is declining and to organize a region-wide effort to clean it up.

In December 2008, the Partnership adopted an Action Agenda that outlines the immediate and long-term actions needed to make the Sound healthy again. Members of the ECB are guiding the Partnership on how best to implement the Action Agenda.

Sims’ replacement as the ECB representative from the South Central Puget Sound Action Area has not yet been appointed. The Leadership Council will make that decision at a later date.

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