"These wetlands really need that seasonal aspect that Ron's been talking about; the idea of getting better quality water in there is going to make a great deal of difference to the health of the marsh.  ...It's really important for this area....This is one of the most important  places to go to see birds in the entire U.S.  It's an amazing area....and what we can do to help the people who live here and the animals who rely on this for a place to stop when they're migrating or to raise their young, that's fantastic.  That's why Audubon's here is to help celebrate this place.  To celebrate what's taking place here today.  It's a historic moment. It's a great partnership.  I'm excited to be standing here with this broad range of partners..."

I think we share a lot in common. I've spent a lot of time talking to people who live here in the basin, and they care about the land, and they care about the wildlife in a way that's really strong. All lot of bird watchers and a lot of Audubon members have that same feeling.  I think what's really important here is that we really focus on what we can do together for the benefit of the land and the benefit of wildlife. 

You look around us here today and I was struck by the great egrets flying by, which is the symbol of the National Audubon  Society.  And a hundred years ago there were probably fewer than 30 or 40 of those birds in the entire state of Oregon.  Because we weren't protecting the land, protecting the animals.  Now you see them almost every few minutes as they fly by here.  We need more of that to happen.  We need more of that to happen for everybody."