Gov. Chris Gregoire this week announced the appointment of Dick Wallace to the Pacific Northwest Power and Conservation Planning Council. The three-year term is effective Feb. 16.

He will replace long-time Council member Larry Cassidy of Vancouver, whose term expires this month. Cassidy was appointed to the Council in 1998 by then-Gov. Gary Locke. While on the Council Cassidy served three terms as chairman, and also had served as chair of the Council's Fish and Wildlife Committee.

Council members are appointed by the governors of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana to implement the Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Act passed by Congress in 1980. The primary function of the Council is to develop a regional power and conservation plan and a fish and wildlife plan. The Council also recommends funding for projects to be implemented by the Bonneville Power Administration.

Wallace, 55, is a regional director with the Washington Department of Ecology and works on policy initiatives such as Puget Sound cleanup, watershed management and salmon recovery.

"Dick has a keen understanding of the balance between the growing energy needs of Northwest businesses and families, and the need to protect our natural resources," Gregoire said. "He will be an asset in building partnerships between state and local officials and business and interest groups to help work toward balancing our power and natural resource issues."

Wallace has more than 25 years of experience in natural resource issues, including water and watershed management, agriculture, forestry, stormwater and salmon recovery. He managed two major programs at Ecology, water quality and water resources. Wallace has served on several policy, funding and regulatory boards and commissions, including the Salmon Recovery Funding Board, Governor's Biodiversity Council and Washington State Conservation Commission.

"I'm pleased the governor has asked me to serve the citizens of the state and region on the Council," Wallace said. "With climate change, there is a growing link between energy policy and protection of our fish and wildlife resources. This is an incredible opportunity to help shape that future."

Wallace, a Montana native, graduated from Whitman College with a bachelor of arts degree in biology and environmental studies, and studied executive management at the Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington.

He started his career as a field representative with the Washington Conservation Commission. In 1986, he moved to the Department of Ecology, where he advanced to the senior management level working on the agency's environmental responsibilities.

Wallace, an avid fisherman and hiker, has adult twin daughters and resides in Lacey.