CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SIGNS AGREEMENT FOR HABITAT PROTECTION Release No. 0033.97 Jim Petterson (202) 720-4623 Sarah McCourt (202) 720-7173 CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SIGNS AGREEMENT FOR HABITAT PROTECTION WASHINGTON, Feb. 5, 1997--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today signed an historic agreement to purchase for $34 million nearly 60,000 acres of pristine land and wildlife habitat within the area affected by the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. The land is currently owned by the Chenega Corporation, an Alaskan Native Village corporation. The acquisition agreement is a component of the ongoing restoration efforts using Exxon Valdez oil spill settlement funds. "This land acquisition has been a top priority for the Clinton Administration to protect lands in the oil spill area," said Secretary Glickman. "The fish and wildlife on the Chenega Corporation lands sustained some of the highest level of environmental harm as a result of the oil spill. USDA is committed to working with the people on the ground to ensure future protection of the land and its resources." In addition to Secretary Glickman, participants in the signing of this landmark agreement were Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt, Alaska Governor Tony Knowles, Agriculture Under Secretary Jim Lyons, Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck and Chenega Corporation President Chuck Totemoff. "This is a great day for the Alaska Native Village of Chenega, the residents of Alaska, and indeed, all Americans," said Secretary Babbitt. Today we are acquiring the first major land parcel on Prince William Sound as a result of funding from the settlement of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. These lands are a legacy for future generations, offering significant habitat for fish, marine mammals and other wildlife; outstanding new recreational opportunities; and a long-term promise that Native Alaskans in this region can pass on their rich birthright of traditional hunting and fishing. "This agreement represents a major accomplishment developed jointly by the USDA Forest Service and the State of Alaska in cooperation with the Departments of the Interior and Commerce and the Chenega Corporation, who all have worked diligently to secure this acquisition," said Agriculture Under Secretary Jim Lyons. The lands included in the acquisition agreement provide high-valued habitat for 12 species affected by the spill of which five species -- harbor seals, harlequin ducks, marbled murrelets, pigeon guillemots and sea otters -- are still not recovering. Overall, the lands were analyzed as having some of the highest benefit for the recovery of resources and associated services injured or reduced by the spill. The majority of the acquired land will be incorporated into the Chugach National Forest; the remainder will be managed as Alaska state park lands. "These newly-acquired lands are invaluable. And they are now accessible to the people of this nation -- for recreational and tourism purposes, for sport fishing and hunting, for simply their magnificent beauty. These uses are not only consistent with habitat protection, but limited development opportunities also will result in economic benefits for the State of Alaska, the Native Alaskans who live on the land and the nation," said Secretary Glickman. A Trustee Council was formed in 1991 to administer money resulting from the settlement of civil claims by the United States and the State of Alaska against Exxon Corporation and Exxon Shipping Company for natural resource damages caused by the oil spill. As of January, 1997, approximately $265 million has been committed to protect 489,000 acres of land. The Chenega Corporation lands located in western Prince William Sound are the most recent acquired lands. The Clinton Administration made restoration of the oil spill area a top priority with emphasis on habitat acquisition and protection. # NOTE: USDA news releases and media advisories are available on the Internet. Access the USDA Home Page on the World Wide Web at http://www.usda.gov